Watson Place — Affordable Housing for single, women over 55 years at risk of homelessness:

Collaboration is key:

Sparked by Housing Matters’ inaugural ‘Local Solutions’ Affordable Housing Forum in 2018, a shared vision emerged to transform RFBI’s former aged care facility into an affordable housing development. With strong support from all levels of government, the RFBI secured funding for the project from the State and Federal governments in 2021, turning the vision into reality.

Vision:

Creating more affordable housing in the Bellingen Shire.

Guiding Priorities:

  • Conversion of the Royal Freemasons’ Benevolent Institution (RFBI) former aged-care facility, located on Watson Street, Bellingen, into 23 affordable housing units for single women over 55 years old who are at risk of homelessness.
  • Project inspired by Housing Matters’ Needs-mapping project that identified that older, single women are a vulnerable group locally facing increasing rates of homelessness, housing insecurity and displacement.
  • The RFBI, in collaboration with Housing Matters, worked with local, state, and federal representatives to secure funding for the demolition and rebuild.

Coming Home:

Fast forward to mid-2024, and construction of Watson Place, which will be operated through RFBI’s subsidiary Bellorana Limited, is almost complete and we applaud RFBI for all their hard work and commitment to addressing Bellingen Shire’s housing crisis. Housing Matters has continued to support local women through their application process.

Download case study here. 

Acknowledgement of Country.

Jagun yaam Gumbaynggirrgundi. We acknowledge the Gumbaynggirr People as the traditional custodians of the land on which we live and work, and pay our respects to all Elders and First Peoples past, present and emerging. Always was, always will be.