Salvation Army, Property Industry Foundation youth housing project in Surry Hills sparks strong response

A plan to build a housing development for at-risk youth near “sensitive” sites, including a methadone clinic, has sparked a flurry of objections from homeowners in Surry Hills.

A concept image of the development in Surry Hills

A plan to build a housing development for at-risk youth has become the talk of the town in Surry Hills with residents raising concerns over its proximity to “sensitive” sites, including a methadone clinic.

An affordable apartment development called ‘Haven House’ would be built on South Dowling St as part of a $5m plan to provide transitional housing for young people experiencing homelessness.

The purpose built complex would be operated by The Salvation Army and provide a stepping stone for people aged under 25 entering transitional housing from crisis accommodation.

But the location of the development has prompted dozens of submissions from neighbours raising concerns over the suitability of the complex in the residential area.

Multiple submissions have centred on the site’s proximity to a methadone clinic, located three blocks away from the site.

A concept plans of the development.

One resident said he had “nothing against community housing” but to put at-risk youth near a methadone clinic is just stupid”.

“There are adults shooting up in the next street all the time putting youth at risk,” one resident wrote in a submission.

Development plans have been lodged to the City of Sydney.

“Introducing vulnerable children into this environment, children which may come with their own baggage and potentially anti-social behaviour, is certainly not needed in this family-friendly environment,” resident Cassandra Walton added.

Resident Lee Bradshaw also raised concerns over the suitability of the development near homes.

“I feel the development of this project will only lead to increased troubles around the area which will have an impact on safety on all those that live here,” he said in a submission.

“Most of us have families, young kids, pets, and among the methadone addicts that make their daily walk (to the methadone clinic) are just trying to live our lives as peacefully as possible,” resident George Malamatinis added.

The development would provide transitional housing.

Further objections have been raised over its proximity to an neighbouring housing commission block of flats which resident Peter Hendrikssen believes could result in “two vulnerable communities living next door to each other”.

In a statement, a spokesman for the Salvation Army said the organisation was “excited about the proposed Haven House development and the positive impact it will have on the lives of young people”.

Plans for the site state the development would support demand for residential housing options catering to the needs of young people looking for safe transitional accommodation.

Haven House would also provide practical support such as cooking skills, budgeting, education opportunities and job readiness.

“Some 44,000 young Australians are homeless and one in three are being turned away from accommodation. Too many young people experiencing homelessness or in crisis and struggling to get the services they need,” the plans state.

“It will be a place where young people experiencing homelessness will receive not just a home but help with their health and mental health issues.”

Homelessness Minister Rose Jackson said she had no received any concerns about the plans, but said there was a need for more immediate housing.

“To be clear - these kinds of services belong across the state, especially in urban areas,” she said.

“We need to ensure that support and shelter is available to our most vulnerable no matter what. The NSW Government have inherited housing system that is broken and in crisis after over a decade of neglect. This will take time to fix but delivering more social housing is essential to reducing homelessness.”

Plans for the site have been lodged by developer Property Industry Foundation which is in the process of entering into a long-term lease with the City of Sydney – which owns the site – to develop the project.

The existing 1960s building at the site, formerly an aged care home, would be demolished for the new four storey apartment building that would have 10 affordable units.

The application for the development 545-549 South Dowling St has been lodged to the City of Sydney and remains under assessment.