Salvos Plan to Contemporise Sydney Shelter

The Salvation Army wants to convert a homeless sheleter into self-contained apartments in central Sydney.

For its latest development application, 52 dorm beds in Samaritan House would become for 22-self contained units at an estimated cost of $17.4 million.

It follows an application made late year to develop a seven-storey office building on another of its Surry Hills properties, which is still under assessment.

The plans filed with the City of Sydney for Samaritan House have been designed by Integrated Design Group and show that the units would have interconnecting doors to change configurations as required and would contain a laundry, kitchen and living areas.

A rooftop level would be added under the plans and include an activity room, playground and outdoor spaces with views across the city.

The Salvation Army has owned the 675sq m site since 1997, using it to provide emergency support and accommodation for women subject to domestic violence.

After the site was aquired, the seven-storey building with commercial office space on the ground floor was constructed. 

The report by Ethos Urban said the new designs would allow for more privacy and dignity.

“TSA is seeking to refurbish and/or redevelop several of these sites as a part of their Inner-City Project renewal program of social mission services,” the report said.

“Most of the existing facilities are no longer fit for purpose and require excessive maintenance.

“In the existing building layout, the accommodation is provided in self-contained ‘group home’ apartment arrangements with up to 10 bedrooms with shared bathroom and kitchen facilities per apartment. 

“The accommodation is no longer considered to provide a reasonable environment for women and small children, and does not meet the standard of service that The Salvation Army wish to deliver.”

In Australia, one average, one woman is murdered by her intimate partner each week, and domestic violence is the biggest cause of homelessness for women and their children, according to The Salvation Army.

Meanwhile, the housing crisis is putting further pressure on people trying to escape the violence and abuse.

And just last month Sydney regained its position as the most expensive capital city to rent in June, taking over from Canberra and Darwin.