The agency of the Anglican Diocese of Newcastle announced it was closing an aged care home at Mt Hutton, a suburb of Lake Macquarie, 14km west-southwest of Newcastle, in March 2022.
On Saturday, the NSW Government announced it had been converted into 20 fully refurbished studio units for women over 55 experiencing homelessness.
The project is being delivered by Pacific Link Housing and Women’s Community Shelters, with more than $550,000 in funding from the NSW Government’s $100 million Homelessness Innovation Fund which will help to cover the costs to run the project, including fit-out and refurbishment, operating costs, and support staff.
This is the first “meanwhile use” housing project in Lake Macquarie, part of a broader push by the NSW Government to make better use of empty buildings and get people housed faster.
"Housing is a major concern for people in the Hunter – no one should have to worry about whether they’ll have a roof over their head," Minister for the Hunter Yasmin Catley said.
"This new facility will provide women with the safety and stability of a home, surrounded by a supportive community of other women."
Annabelle Daniel OAM (pictured), CEO Women’s Community Shelters, said:it looks "forward to opening more of these life-changing homes for women, where they can thrive with the respect and care they deserve."
“Women's Community Shelters is proud to be standing beside cherished partners in opening a new safe haven for older women at risk of homelessness, and to be working with the Lake Macquarie community for the first time," she said..
Anglican Care also announced in March 2022 that it was closing another aged care home in Bulahdelah, 93km northeast of Newcastle.
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