A growing demand for seniors’ housing has led to St Vincent de Paul opening 21 villas in Dubbo.
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The development has been established on the former site of St Faith’s hostel for girls. It has been designed for people over 55 years old in need of affordable housing.
It was blessed and officially opened on Tuesday.
St Vincent de Paul Housing CEO Brian Murnane said the units were already full and there was a long waiting list for residents to move in.
“That was the hard part, trying to decide who would get housing because you hear so many heart-wrenching stories. It's very hard to make those decisions.” he said.
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In the 1850s the land was the site of the first Anglican church in Dubbo. From 1912 to 1969 it was a girl’s hostel for women from outlying areas to attend school here, run by Anglican nuns. The current chapel, which has now been turned into a community centre, was built in 1959.
“The site has provided a fabulous service to the Dubbo community for 170-odd years, all we’re doing is continuing the tradition,” Mr Murnane said.
The housing will continue to be called St Faith’s.
It's the first of 12 projects St Vincent’s is undertaking through the NSW government’s Social and Affordable Housing Fund.
Resident Wally Flynn was full of praise for the facility.
“I’ve always wanted to go to Heaven and I’m here,” he said.
Mr Flynn was recommended to the management for a unit after he decided to downsize. From there he had an interview and “next thing he knew” he had a unit.
Unlike other seniors living facilities, rather than buy one of the one, two or three bedroom units outright, residents pay a bond and then weekly rent.
Day-to-day the site will be run by Parkes Forbes Community Housing.