Shelter NSW and National Shelter have joined forces with advocates, community housing providers, developers and government to establish a coalition to tackle empty dwellings and a lack of temporary accommodation for people experiencing homelessness.

The National Meanwhile Use Alliance will see Shelter – state and national – combine forces with Coronation, Toga Group, Lendlease, Habitat for Humanity, Property Industry Foundation, Faith Housing Australia, Jewish House, Homelessness NSW, Australian Alliance to End Homelessness, My Foundations Youth Housing, Link Wentworth, Social Ventures Australia and Women’s Community Shelters to refurbish and tenant vacant housing stock.

The establishment of this alliance will create a considered pathway to link otherwise private accommodation with the people who could benefit from it the most. While meanwhile use is a temporary solution with its success largely predicated on secure social housing dwellings becoming available for meanwhile use tenants to move into, this program will go a long way to ensuring that NSW has ample stock of temporary accommodation to the people who need it.

Shelter NSW extends its thanks to alliance partners and looks forward to building on this work.