Pictured above: Krystal Moores (Homes NSW Director Housing Services), Wal Edgell (Pacific Link Housing Chairman), Bishop Sonia Roulston (Anglican Care, Diocese of Newcastle), The Hon. Jodie Harrison MP (Minister for Women and Seniors), Annabelle Daniel OAM (Women’s Community Shelters CEO), Adam Shultz (Lake Macquarie Mayor), Llewellyn Visagie (Pacific Link Housing Group Executive Manager Operations) and Adam McWhinney (Co-Founder & Chief Experience Officer, Temple & Webster)
Pacific Link Housing (PLH) has announced a significant increase in the availability of safe, temporary accommodation for older women facing homelessness in Lake Macquarie.
Following advocacy by the Housing Older People’s Project (HOPP) group, PLH has successfully brought together the owner of an otherwise vacant building, a specialist women’s support service and the NSW Government. This collaboration has resulted in a practical solution that is expected to operate for the next five years, offering a safe home and life-changing support for older women at risk of homelessness or escaping domestic and family violence.
The disused aged care facility owned by Anglican Care has been transformed into ‘Tingira House’. This property now offers 20 studio units with access to communal lounges, kitchens, laundry facilities and gardens, all tailored for women over 55. As the region’s first ‘meanwhile use’ project of this type, it not only re-purposes a vacant property but also provides safe, secure, temporary homes to one of the community’s most vulnerable groups.
Anglican Care provided a nominal lease to Pacific Link Housing to allow the former residential aged care facility to be used for vital accommodation and support for women aged over 55, who are at risk of homelessness.
“Through our services, we see many people in our community who are doing it tough. For the most vulnerable, finding affordable, safe, and stable accommodation is simply out of reach. Anglican Care seeks to create meaningful, positive change in the community. We believe the facility’s exciting transformation will achieve this by providing a support network and safe space for this often-overlooked group,” Anglican Care President Bishop Peter Stuart said.
The funding for this project includes support from Homes NSW through the Homelessness Innovation Fund (HIF). A total of $506,000 has been awarded to cover the fit-out and refurbishment, which was completed by Pacific Link Housing’s social enterprise Renew Projects, as well as the operating expenses and on-site case support for the first year of an expected five-year term. This financial support is crucial for establishing a sustainable project.
Minister for Housing and Homelessness Rose Jackson said:
“This is exactly what we should be doing — taking empty buildings and turning them into homes for people who desperately need them.”
“This aged care home sat unused for years. Now it’s a lifeline for women who would otherwise be sleeping rough or stuck in motel rooms.”
Minister for Women and Seniors Jodie Harrison said:
“This Homelessness Innovation Fund project represents a significant step forward in our collective commitment to supporting vulnerable women in our community, particularly those facing the harsh realities of homelessness and domestic and family violence.
“Lakeside Haven* is a great example of what’s possible when the New South Wales Government partners with incredible organisations such as Pacific Link Housing, Women’s Community Shelters and Anglicare, all of whom bring a wealth of experience, dedication, and compassion to the table.
“It’s through this ongoing collaboration that Lakeside Haven* has become a reality and a place to restore hope, dignity, and security to women in need.”
Pacific Link Housing Group CEO, Ian Lynch said:
“Tingira House reflects Pacific Link Housing’s mission of providing safe, secure and affordable housing for those in need. This collaborative project reflects our commitment to addressing immediate housing crises while working towards sustainable housing outcomes. Thanks to the support from the Homelessness Innovation Fund and our work with Women’s Community Shelters and Anglican Care, Tingira House is turning a temporary solution into housing stability for older women at risk of homelessness.”
Building on the success of a similar meanwhile use project on the Central Coast, this initiative continues the collaborative partnership between PLH and Women’s Community Shelters (WCS). It demonstrates that temporary solutions can have lasting impacts on the lives of individuals and the broader community.
WCS will provide residents with comprehensive on-site case management support in addition to a range of community engagement and wellbeing activities. PLH will take responsibility for property and tenancy management in addition to assisting Tingira House residents in identifying and transitioning to long-term, stable housing.
Annabelle Daniel OAM CEO, Women’s Community Shelters said:
“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. At ‘Tingira House’, women will access safety, housing and critical supports they need for a secure future. We thank the NSW Government for embracing our ‘meanwhile use’ housing model as a pragmatic and immediate response to NSW’s housing crisis, and we look forward to opening more of these life-changing homes for women, where they can thrive with the respect and care they deserve.“
The support from community and corporate partners for the project has been exceptional. Through an existing partnership with Temple & Webster and WCS, the 20 studio rooms and all common areas have been furnished and styled, creating a warm and welcoming environment. Additional contributions came through local partnerships, including generous donations and discounts from Harvey Norman Bennetts Green, Bunnings Bennetts Green, the Bikers Hand and Housing All Australians. We’re also grateful for the invaluable volunteer support provided by the Newcastle Lions Club, Belmont Men’s Shed, the Gadibundhu Centre and students from the University of Newcastle.
Pacific Link Housing looks forward to seeing the positive impact of Tingira House, which provides not only a supportive, temporary home for its residents but also a pathway towards a secure housing future.
*Note: The name of our transitional housing facility launched on 16 May 2025 in the Lake Macquarie region as ‘Lakeside Haven’, has changed to ‘Tingira House’ as of 26 May 2025. This change was made due to potential confusion with a similarly named women’s shelter. The name ‘Tingira House’ follows Women’s Community Shelters’ and Pacific Link Housing’s tradition of naming shelter accommodation with a connection to the local area. Tingira Heights is a nearby suburb, which derives its name from an Aboriginal word meaning ‘open sea’. All mentions of this service will use the name ‘Tingira House’ from Monday 26 May 2025.
