Following a successful five-year partnership, a housing model that turns otherwise vacant properties into affordable accommodation for vulnerable Australians is being touted as an important part of the solution to the housing crisis.
“Meanwhile Use” projects provide medium-term affordable housing delivered in otherwise vacant properties, such as those waiting for planning approvals.
For the past five years, not-for-profit Link Wentworth has provided affordable housing for women over 55 in Meanwhile Use properties in Beecroft and Mosman, in partnership with Women’s Community Shelters (WCS) and Twilight Aged Care.
Now, there are calls for the model to be rolled out more widely to help address the current housing crisis.
Link Wentworth CEO Andrew McAnulty said with countless vacant properties across Australia’s most expensive cities, there is an opportunity to immediately help those doing it tough.
“Meanwhile Use housing is not a substitute for the stability and security of long-term social housing but we can’t ignore the fact that people need solutions now,” said McAnulty.
“To effectively dig our way out of this housing crisis, we need to apply numerous strategies – and this is a creative solution that makes use of otherwise empty properties, of which there are thousands.”
Ivy and Claire have been living at Beecroft House and Mosman House, the Meanwhile Use properties Link Wentworth opened in 2018 and 2022.
“It’s just given me a place to ground myself and be, with everything that’s going on around me…and they were really caring when I came here, and supportive,” said Claire.
At both properties, women have their own bedroom and living space but share a kitchen. Dedicated support workers provide assistance, therapy, and activities.
“They’re just constantly thinking of ways to have us involved and having something to do, to make us feel that we’re not alone,” Claire added.
Wraparound services for residents include mental health support and help with finding suitable, long-term accommodation.
“Working with the social worker and psychologist in the last nine months at Mosman House has set me up for a future free from abuse from anybody,” Ivy said. “Now for me, pride and openness replace shame and secrecy.”
McAnulty said they were calling on more developers with empty assets to consider Meanwhile Use housing.
“We would love to see more projects like this come to life. A vacant property is a wasted opportunity and could really change someone’s life.”