Project: INNER WEST SYDNEY
Background
Located in Sydney’s Inner West, an 8,000m² former hospital site has been transformed into temporary crisis and transitional housing through a meanwhile‑use initiative. Secured under a $1 lease from TOGA Group, the site now provides safe accommodation and on‑site support services for around 100 adults and children each night while the property awaits future redevelopment.
Challenge
Across Australia, the shortage of crisis and transitional housing continues to place vulnerable people at risk, particularly women and children escaping domestic and family violence. At the same time, large redevelopment sites often remain vacant for extended periods while planning and approvals progress.
The Ashfield site, comprising a former hospital, two apartment buildings and four houses, would likely have sat unused during this interim period. Activating the site required navigating complex regulatory, safety and operational considerations, while balancing commercial, reputational and community risk within an active planning environment. Recognising the opportunity to address an urgent social need, TOGA Group worked with Women’s Community Shelters, Jewish House and Housing All Australians to deliver a meanwhile‑use solution. Drawing on their collective experience in delivering complex, cross‑sector initiatives, the partners brought together government, industry and community organisations to rapidly convert vacant buildings into safe accommodation and support services at scale.
Solution
Vacant buildings were transformed into crisis and transitional housing alongside a community support hub, delivering safe accommodation and wraparound services for around 100 adults and children every night. A clear governance framework enabled the site to be activated within months, much faster and far less expensive than building new housing, while and enabling community services to create safe supported spaces for people to rebuild their lives.
”By unlocking a dormant site through meanwhile use, we’ve created more than temporary accommodation—we’ve delivered a scalable model for addressing housing insecurity with speed, compassion and impact.”
Impact
Catalytic – The Inner West Project proves how Meanwhile Use can unlock large-scale impact from vacant assets awaiting redevelopment. An 8,000m² site was rapidly activated to deliver crisis and transitional housing for more than 100 people nightly, generating over 36,500 safe bed nights annually and demonstrating a replicable model for mobilising idle property to address urgent housing needs.
Transformational – Vacant buildings were transformed into crisis and transitional housing alongside a community support hub, delivering safe accommodation and wraparound services for around 100 adults and children every night. A clear governance framework enabled the site to be activated within months—far faster than traditional housing delivery—while ensuring safety, compliance, and flexibility to respond to changing resident needs.
Collaborative – The project required close collaboration between TOGA Group, Women’s Community Shelters, Jewish House, Housing All Australians, Homes NSW and more than 30 corporate contributors. Private‑sector partners provided over $170,000 in pro bono construction, materials and labour, while charities and government partners delivered housing services and funding. TOGA Group’s leadership was instrumental in enabling a interim use of a major asset, demonstrating how private landowners can deliver meaningful social value during redevelopment waiting periods.
Amplified – More than 100 adults and children now receive safe accommodation each night on a site that would otherwise sit vacant. The project demonstrates how Meanwhile Use can convert idle buildings into community infrastructure, strengthening partnerships across government, property and community sectors while creating a scalable model for addressing housing shortages nationally.
Results
Widely recognised as the largest meanwhile‑use project in Australia, The Inner West Project now delivers safe accommodation for up to 100 adults and children every night—equating to around 36,500 bed nights annually. What was once a dormant redevelopment site has become a vibrant community precinct, providing safety, stability and opportunity while informing future meanwhile‑use approaches across NSW.
