Leading not for profit organisation, BaptistCare, built its very first home for elderly women 68 years ago. Now it is returning to its Carlingford birthplace.
Construction will shortly commence on the community housing provider’s historic birthplace in Carlingford, Sydney, with its largest community housing development of 162 much-needed social and affordable units for seniors over 55 and single parent families.
“We originally purchased the six-acre parcel of land here for £2000 in 1948, and in 1953 built a home to support elderly women in the immediate post-war period,” said BaptistCare CEO Charles Moore, who was joined by NSW Minister for Families, Communities and Disability Services Gareth Ward to celebrate the commencement of the project.
“Yallambi (pictured right) was home to many older Australians up until 2017 when we relocated residents to our newly-built The Gracewood Centre in Kellyville in preparation for this new era of housing,” Mr Moore said.
In the City of Parramatta, 24%, or one in four households in the private rental market, are currently in rental housing stress, while almost 2,000 people are waiting for social housing in the region, according to BaptistCare.
“These units will complete the 500 units we are building in partnership with the NSW Government. This partnership demonstrates that with the right mix of funding, community housing providers like BaptistCare can go beyond building the vital bricks and mortar and also deliver life-transforming support. The Government can be assured that we’re here for the long run and committed to the provision of safe and affordable housing for people who need it,” said Mr Moore.
When finished, the housing at Carlingford will see BaptistCare owning and operating more than 650 community housing residences over 13 locations across NSW.
The Carlingford housing design involves three 4-storey unit blocks with an underground car park and a central courtyard for tenants to enjoy. More than 60% of the housing will be dedicated to seniors.
