The City of Sydney has announced $250k boost for the Salvation Army in order to help build over 160 new central Sydney homes for lower income workers.

The homes are scheduled to be built in a site the Salvation Army owns in Surry Hills, potentially in a proposed 25 meter high development project, and well be used to house those in periods of low-income, as well as those requiring emergency housing.

The Salvation Army plans to specifically build 118 affordable housing units with strict rent capping, allowing lower income workers, including nurses, police officers, waiters and cleaners to live close to their city jobs.

Affordable housing accommodation is run by not-for-profit housing providers who cap rents to a level typically no more than 30 per cent of their residents’ income in rent.

Along with affordable housing, the Salvos plan to build 48 crisis-housing units, housed within the development to provide emergency accommodation for people suddenly finding themselves homeless.

Lord Mayor Clover Moore welcomed the plans, saying they would help alleviate the serious housing shortage in Sydney, “This accommodation is urgently needed for people who find it increasingly difficult to afford to rent in the city.

“We have an ambitious target to make 7.5 per cent of all housing in the City LGA affordable housing, delivered and run by not-for-profit organisations like the Salvation Army.

“Successful global cities need a diverse mix of residents, affordable housing is essential to make sure Sydney doesn’t become an enclave only affordable for the well off.”

The Salvation Army is planning the $55 million project on the corner of Mary and Campbell Streets in Surry Hills, which is currently in the design and planning stages, with construction of the new accommodation flagged to be readying by the end of 2020.

The Salvation Army
salvos.org.au