Vinnies Social and Affordable Housing Complex officially opens in Burraneer

A purpose-built complex providing social housing for seniors at risk of homelessness and hardship was officially opened in Burraneer on Friday morning.

The social housing complex located in Smarts Crescent was developed by St Vincent de Paul Housing (Vinnies) NSW, using funds from the charity’s supporters with support from the NSW Government’s Social and Affordable Housing Fund (SAHF).

Holding the official opening of the 36-unit complex today following delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Brian Murnane, Amelie Housing CEO, was delighted to continue Vinnies’ long-standing commitment to serving the people of the Sutherland Shire.

"We have been housing tenants at Burraneer since July last year and have been delighted by the community that has grown in that time,” Mr Murnane said.

"As part of Vinnies’ arrangement with the NSW Government, 502 properties have been developed across 12 sites throughout the state including Burraneer, Dubbo, Albury, Penrith, Campbelltown, Merrylands, Lilyfield, Maitland, Jordan Springs, Katoomba and Cardiff."

At present, more than 51,000 applicants – or the equivalent of 110,000 people – are waitlisted for social housing across the state. According to the latest figures provided by the Department of Communities and Justice, 745 applicants are located in the Sutherland zone, including 158 listed for priority housing.

In the past year, Vinnies supported more than 35,000 people state-wide with food, clothing and household bills, including more than $200,000 in financial and material assistance across the Sutherland Shire Regional Council.

"Everyone needs a safe and secure place to live in order to thrive and not having to contend with the constant anxiety of surviving one day at a time,” said Jack de Groot, Vinnies NSW CEO.

"As part of the SAHF model we use a housing first approach which provides people with housing that is located close to local services and transport, as well as connecting them with wraparound support from staff so that they can achieve their individual goals.

"We are continuing to see people struggling to get by due to the impacts of the pandemic which makes projects like SAHF so vital to ensuring vulnerable members of our community don’t fall into hardship and homelessness.

"Vinnies is incredibly proud of its involvement with the SAHF, we would love the opportunity to expand the project in order to provide more people with housing."

Today’s opening in Burraneer commenced with a Welcome to Country by Aunty Lola Ryan, a smoking ceremony by local Elder Uncle Les McCloud and Daniel Ella, followed by some words from Denis Walsh, St Vincent de Paul NSW Provisional President, and a blessing by Most Reverend Terry Brady, Auxiliary Bishop of Sydney.

Media contact: Lachlan Jones | 0417 446 430