A development application has been approved for the complete refurbishment of Wesley RJ Williams, an existing property on Glebe Point Road, to become affordable housing. The approval was given following planning and design review by City of Sydney along with important consultation with local community members.

Wesley Mission CEO, the Rev Keith Garner, said: “We had to take action. Finding secure and affordable housing in Sydney is almost impossible for low to moderate income earners.”

The refurbished property will provide 74 self-contained apartments, including a mix of studios and four-bedroom configurations for families.

“This is a first project that, with our partners, we hope will provide a framework to help unlock underused properties to deliver positive social outcomes and strengthen community inclusion and cohesion. The need for social and affordable housing is great.”

The NSW Government has sought feedback on a discussion paper that outlines the creation of a 20-year vision for housing. The paper also notes the importance of developing safe and affordable housing, stating, “Housing will be a critical part of our recovery from the immediate and fundamental impacts of COVID-19 and recent drought and bushfires,” Garner said. Wesley Mission is a signatory, along with other members of Churches Housing, to a detailed response supporting the strategy along with highlighting additional areas of community need.

The Wesley RJ Williams project now moves into phase two which includes detailed design specification before phase three when the construction work to improve the property will commence.

The intended refurbishment is part of Wesley Mission’s strategy to review its property portfolio and enhance how the organisation provides integrated solutions and support across its broad network of services which assist more than 200,000 people each year.