‘Live the rest of my life happy’: 70 social housing units completed above Waterloo Metro
A new transport hub in the heart of Sydney will soon be home to 100 social housing residents directly above a metro station.
A transport hub in the heart of Sydney is set to contribute to the city’s social housing supply, with 100 residents ready to move into new units directly above the metro station.
The 70 new homes have been delivered above the Waterloo Metro Quarter in the city’s inner south and are the start of 1500 dedicated social and affordable dwellings as part of a redevelopment, with 3000 homes in total planned for the district.
The area’s redevelopment includes the upcoming demolition of Sydney’s largest social housing estate in Waterloo South – comprising 749 homes.
Michael Nixon is in the process of relocating from the Waterloo South estate to above the metro station, and said the social housing has helped him keep his dignity.
“I’ve had a history of homelessness and I’m very glad that I’ve got the opportunity to get this new place”, Mr Nixon said.
The 57-year-old Kamilaroi man said he was looking forward to hosting his grandchildren for barbecues in the building’s communal terrace, viewing the New Year’s Eve fireworks from his two-bedroom unit, and anticipates “I’ll probably end up living the rest of my life there”.
With access to affordable food nearby from OzHarvest and the chance to stay in his community, Mr Nixon said he’s looking forward to moving in within the next two weeks.
“I’m going to live the rest of my life happy, I’m looking forward to it,” he said.
Premier Chris Minns said the project in Waterloo was an example of “how we can boost housing close to transport, jobs and the services people rely on.”
“The answer to the housing challenge is simple but hard – we need more, well-located homes and today is a milestone in our work to deliver that,” he said.
The $6.6 billion Building Homes for NSW program delivered 1,711 new social and affordable homes in the last financial year, with a goal of 8400 in six years’ time.
Additional shops and a public plaza are also planned for the Waterloo Metro Quarter redevelopment.
Minister for Housing and Homelessness Rose Jackson said tenants “can’t wait to move in” to the new units.
“They are light-filled and spacious and will provide dignified housing for dozens of families, couples, and singles,” she said.
“Every home we build here supports the wider renewal by giving existing tenants security and stability as we transform the Waterloo estate into a thriving community for decades to come.”
Of the 70 new apartments, 14 will be managed by Birribee Housing and be dedicated for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander residents.
Plans to demolish the existing estate in Waterloo South have met ongoing opposition from community members concerned about the loss of social housing.
Member for Heffron Ron Hoenig said the new homes mark “progress and renewal for a community that for decades has been treated as an afterthought and not a priority”.
“For far too long my Waterloo public housing tenants have lived in shocking conditions that no one should have to endure,” he said.
