As the housing and cost of living crises continue, 80 former and current residents, staff, volunteers, partners, and support workers will gather to celebrate Link Wentworth鈥檚 40 years of providing social and affordable housing across Sydney, including in Hornsby and Ku-Ring-Gai.
Not-for-profit Link Wentworth manages more than 6,400 homes across Sydney, including over 1,000 homes in the Hornsby Local Government Area, and more than 60 in Ku-Ring-Gai. The properties include social and affordable housing, specialist disability accommodation, and transitional accommodation.
Link Wentworth CEO, Andrew McAnulty, said one of the region鈥檚 initiatives, Beecroft House, is proving to be so successful, its model is being named as one solution to Australia鈥檚 housing crisis.
鈥淏eecroft House is an example of 鈥楳eanwhile Use鈥� housing which utilises properties that are otherwise vacant for short-term, affordable accommodation for vulnerable Australians,鈥� Mr McAnulty explained.
鈥淏eecroft House is a refurbished aged-care facility that over the past five years, has provided safe and secure housing to 60 women over the age of 55. At any one time, up to 18 women can access affordable rents to live in the building, which otherwise would have remained vacant awaiting planning approvals. We are incredibly proud to offer this unique solution to the housing shortage, along with our partners Women鈥檚 Community Shelters and Twilight Aged Care.鈥�
Link Wentworth鈥檚 presence in Hornsby/Ku-Ring-Gai was bolstered in 2018 when more than 1,880 homes were transferred from the Department of Communities and Justice to Link Wentworth in Northern Sydney.
To better meet the needs of residents, Link Wentworth developed the Social Housing Service System Coordination Plan with partners, which outlines a three-year strategy for how best to manage the social housing service system across Northern Sydney; and is currently in the planning phases to develop seniors living accommodation in Thornleigh.
鈥淪ocial and affordable housing is more important than ever as the cost of living and housing crises continue to pressure individuals and families. Link Wentworth is committed to working with local, state and federal governments, and the private sector, to make sure we secure funding for new and much-needed housing in and around Sydney鈥檚 North. Now is the time to build upon our history, and work with partners to do more,鈥� Mr McAnulty said.
The organisation also regularly partners with Hornsby Ku-Ring-Gai Community College to run English classes and adult learning initiatives for residents; and holds an End-of-Year Party giving local residents the opportunity to celebrate the festive season.
Last year, Link Wentworth ran the 鈥楢ge Well, Be Well鈥� program, encouraging greater health and wellbeing through gentle exercise, arts and crafts, and informative workshops.
Media enquiries
Eva Gerencer, Chief Communications Officer
eva.gerencer@linkwentworth.org.au
0427 926 588
Link Wentworth wishes to acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the Land on which we work and pay our respect to the Elders past, present and emerging, and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.