The former Stockton Centre in the Hunter region is set to be repurposed as transitional housing for families facing homelessness, with the NSW Government investing $2.45 million in the project. Once completed, the upgraded site will provide short-term accommodation for up to 25 people each night. The development will include seven homes designed to accommodate larger families, who often struggle to find suitable emergency housing.
The initiative forms part of the New South Wales Government’s broader strategy to address homelessness by repurposing surplus state-owned properties for temporary housing. The Stockton Centre will be a key example of this “meanwhile use” approach, designed to provide immediate relief while longer-term housing solutions are planned.
Homes NSW is working in collaboration with social housing provider Home in Place to manage the project. The development will not only offer urgent accommodation but will also provide residents with access to the support services they need to transition into permanent housing, helping families regain stability.
Lyndall Robertshaw, CEO of Home in Place, highlighted the significant impact of such initiatives. She said, “Every additional community housing home the government can bring online means another person or a family will have a safe roof over their head.” This emphasises how each new housing development is an essential step towards alleviating the pressure on the housing system and providing vulnerable families with the stability they need.
The project also highlights the importance of long-term solutions to address homelessness. While the repurposing of the Stockton Centre will provide temporary relief, a greater focus on long-term housing options is needed to prevent homelessness from occurring in the first place.
Despite challenges in the housing sector, including rising construction costs and labour shortages, the Stockton Centre repurposing represents a positive step towards addressing the housing crisis. Once completed, the project will offer valuable accommodation to families in need and could serve as a model for similar initiatives across the state.
