A purpose-built residential care home for the aged homeless will be built in Sydney’s Darlinghurst area.
The HammondCare facility will be operational from next year. Chief executive Stephen Judd described it as a significant project.
“The aged homeless and those at risk of homelessness are increasing in numbers and sadly, often fall through the cracks of existing service provision,” Dr Judd said.
“This project aims to alleviate this demand in inner Sydney and also provide a unique care model for this group – long term, specialist care for people with complex needs.”
Dr Judd said most care homes for homeless people in the Darlinghurst area provided short-term shelter or long-term accommodation without higher levels of care.
The organisation will lease the site in Darlinghurst Road from St John’s Church, which also runs the Rough Edges cafe, catering for the homeless. St John’s rector, Rev Edward Vaughan, said the project would make a significant contribution to the lives of people who are homeless, or who are at risk of ending up on the streets.
“St John’s has been serving homeless people for almost 30 years through Rough Edges, as well as other ministries like our legal centre, education program and provision of social work services,” he said.
The proposed five-storey building will accommodate about 50 people, and the low-impact design will allow clear views of the church’s heritage-listed spire.
HammondCare Darlinghurst, 1300-426-666, email darlinghurst@hammond.com.au