Jewish House to provide beds at major housing project

Jewish House will provide more than 50 rooms for men experiencing or at risk of homelessness as part of a large-scale housing initiative launched in Sydney’s Inner West.

The Inner West Project, which opened on October 29, transforms an under-utilised 8000 square metre Ashfield site into accommodation for over 100 adults and children experiencing homelessness per night, creating over 36,500 safe nights each year.

The project is a partnership between TOGA Group, Women’s Community Shelters, Jewish House, Housing All Australians, FDC Construction & Fitout, and the NSW Government. It uses a “meanwhile use” model, which activates vacant or underutilised buildings while longer-term plans progress.

Jewish House CEO Rabbi Mendel Kastel said the project addresses urgent need. “Every night, too many people in NSW face the prospect of sleeping rough or without safety. The Inner West Project directly addresses these range of pressures by providing immediate, safe, and supported accommodation for many groups,” he said.

“In doing so, it eases the strain on overwhelmed homelessness services while giving individuals and families the stability they need to begin rebuilding their lives.”

Jewish House will offer a mix of temporary and transitional accommodation supported by wraparound care. “Throughout their stay, residents receive compassionate, trauma-informed support, including comprehensive case management, professional counselling, employment assistance, and access to food and essential items, so they can rebuild stability, independence, and reintegrate with their families and communities,” Rabbi Kastel said.

TOGA Group managing director Allan Vidor said the project demonstrates what collaboration can achieve. “The Inner West Project shows what’s possible when private owners, community providers and government work together: we activate idle properties quickly, deliver safe accommodation at scale under a one dollar meanwhile-use lease for at least two years, and create the conditions for stability and recovery. Across that period, the initiative is forecast to provide over 36,500 bed-nights each year, turning empty buildings into places that rebuild lives and strengthen communities,” he said.

“It marks the beginning of a long-term transformation, creating a legacy of care and resilience for the Inner West community. Looking ahead, TOGA plans to redevelop the site into permanent housing and a pioneering mental health campus, operated by TOGA Health. Our goal is to deliver compassionate, effective mental healthcare that responds to the urgent and growing demand for support across Australia.”

NSW Minister for Water, Housing, Homelessness, Mental Health and Youth Rose Jackson formally opened the site. “A shift in someone’s housing situation can happen with little warning. Many people are just one bad job or bad relationship away from facing homelessness. That’s why supported, temporary accommodation is so vital, giving people the safety net they need to get back on their feet,” she said.

“This is the largest ‘meanwhile use’ housing initiative in the Southern Hemisphere, and it’s only possible because of a united partnership between the NSW government, community organisations and the private sector. Together, we’re delivering over 36,500 safe nights a year for people who need them most.

“It sets a new benchmark for how we tackle homelessness and domestic violence. It’s a model of leadership, partnership and purpose and showing what’s possible when we come together to put people first.”

Women’s Community Shelters will deliver accommodation for approximately 50 women, children and transgender people each night across 19 apartments for temporary accommodation and ten apartments for transitional housing.

The project is supported through the NSW Government’s Reforming Temporary Accommodation Grant, delivered under the Homelessness Innovation Fund.

In 2023-24, more than 280,000 people accessed specialist homelessness services, but an additional 72,000 people were turned away due to lack of capacity.