Shelter NSW CEO John Engeler was very happy to join housing sector colleagues Trina Jones, NSW Rental Commissioner; Professor Nicole Gurran, USYD and Estelle Grech, Committee for Sydney at last week’s forum hosted by the Inner West Council discussing their various perspectives on renters’ rights and affordable housing.

At the event John spoke of his own involvement in the support of an important local affordable housing project: the Nightingale project in Marrickville a project that nearly didn’t happen due to community opposition, progressing with approval only after a Mayoral casting vote.

The Nightingale Not-For-Proft Developer model was recently showcased in a piece of research Shelter NSW has just released (refer story above). This particular project in Marrickville is being developed with another Not-for-Profit organisation Fresh Hope Communities on land owned by the Churches of Christ in NSW and ACT (offered using a ground lease).

As John noted, it was the local faith community that made this active choice to repurpose its site for the public good. He went further, lamenting the considerable time, stress and money expended by key stakeholders to get this valuable project to where it is now – nearly finished!

With an increased push for greater density across Greater Sydney we hope to see creative and sound repurposing projects like this one having any easier path.

Shelter NSW thanks the Deputy Mayor Chloe Smith and Councillor Dylan Griffiths for their leadership of the event and Simone Plummer, Director Planning for her contribution on the night.