The former Stockton Centre has officially been developed as a “safe haven” for Newcastle families at risk or experiencing homelessness.
Before closing its doors in 2021, the facility was previously used as a residential service for people with disability.
After sitting empty and dirty for three years, the state government announced its plans for the site to be redeveloped as a solution to the foreboding housing crisis.
The $2.45 million investment aimed to upgrade the centre into transitional housing, containing seven separate dwellings.
Now completed, the build includes a six-bedroom, two four-bedroom and four five-bedroom houses.
The short-term accommodation can host about 25 people each night and is available for families facing a housing crisis or emergency.
It comes as a collaboration between government organisation Homes NSW and social housing provider Home In Place, who work to ensure visitors not only get the immediate support they need, but assistance in finding long-term solutions as well.
With current social housing wait times in NSW sitting at more than a year, the NSW Government is currently investigating the temporary use of state-owned building assets for short-term accommodation, while longer-term planning and redevelopment options are being explored.
Newcastle MP Tim Crakanthorp said the revamped centre served as an effort to drive down homelessness in the Hunter.
“Using part of the Stockton Centre will provide essential support for our community’s most vulnerable and is a big step towards alleviating the housing crisis in Newcastle,” he explained.
“The community and I have been lobbying for more short-term accommodation for years, so this is a massive win for Newcastle.”
The temporary or “meanwhile” use of the space is a model set to be replicated across the state, having been earmarked to deliver new private market, social and affordable homes.
Port Stephens MP Kate Washington said the site would still remain useful for the disabled community.
“The housing crisis is the greatest challenge facing families across the state and the Minns government is doing everything possible to get more roofs over people’s heads sooner,” the Minister for Disability Inclusion added.
“The former government said it wasn’t possible, we’ve proved that it is.
“I’m so pleased these properties are no longer sitting empty and will provide safe and secure short-term accommodation for the people in our community who need it most.”
The NSW Government’s plans for the site, as well as other state-owned land, could potentially see the space support more than 500 dwellings in the future.
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