A new standard in social housing
Habilis is a Sydney-based organisation that builds and manages long-term accommodation for people who have become homeless due to severe mental illness.
Habilis intends to develop purpose-built developments of individual studio-style apartments that provide physical security, access to support services, and the opportunity to learn to live independently, with the aim of overcoming the barriers to accommodation experienced by many people facing chronic homelessness. Habilis residents are provided with regular visits by various service providers to assist in maintaining an independent lifestyle.
The first site in a series of planned projects is at Parramatta Road in Summer Hill. The building is the first NSW example of a much-needed housing model based on successful service precedents in Finland and Italy, followed by Victoria, Australia.
The units range between 20-30 m2 and have a small bathroom, basic cooking facilities, and a balcony. The development incorporates 20 units to create an efficient but manageable cluster. The site has a secure perimeter, a caretaker unit, an office, a laundry, and common areas and gardens for community activity.
Habilis aims to create a sustainable solution by aligning the interests of people experiencing homelessness, all parties involved in their welfare, and investors. This cooperative model logically relies on goodwill to provide the environment for this.
The Summer Hill design incorporates the adaptive reuse of existing buildings used until recently as a furniture factory, along with the construction of new additions to create a pleasant secluded environment focussed around a landscaped courtyard with direct visual connection to the Hawthorne Canal GreenWay adjacent.
The development completed construction in mid-2024.
“A home for life, not shelter for the short-term”.
Award for social impact jury citation:
“Habilis is a deeply humane and sensitive architectural response to one of society’s most urgent challenges: chronic homelessness and mental illness. Through the thoughtful adaptive reuse of a disused industrial site, this project redefines what social housing can be – in both form and function.”
“Every aspect of Habilis reflects a deep understanding of the barriers faced by its future residents: from safety and autonomy to the importance of connection and continuity of care.”
Details
- Client
- Habilis
- Builder
- Structure
- Structure
- Structure Consulting Engineers
- Mechanical
- Acor
- Electrical
- Acor
- Hydraulic
- Acor
- Landscape
- Gallagher Studio
- Photographer
- Katherine Lu
Awards
Architecture AU – Social Impact Award – Winner
Urban Developer – Development of the year – Social Infrastructure
AIA NSW Sustainability Award – Commendation