Anglicare Sydney to deliver Essential Worker Housing for Merrylands 

Essential workers will be offered housing support in the heart of Merrylands under plans by Anglicare Sydney to build 238 affordable homes for health, aged care, hospitality and social services workers. 

Anglicare Sydney has lodged a State Significant Development application to the NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure for 238 affordable apartments, retail and commercial space on the lower levels, and open podium level communal space for residents. 

The 36-storey mixed-use building will be located 200 metres from Merrylands train station, offering easy access to public transport, schools, medical facilities and shops. As Merrylands town centre undergoes a transition to higher density residential and mixed-use developments, our proposals are consistent with the Cumberland Council’s Housing Strategy and local planning objectives. 

Anglicare Sydney CEO Simon Miller said the development is consistent with Anglicare’s mission to serve those in need. 

“Anglicare Sydney’s Rental Affordability Snapshot – Essential Workers Report showed that only 1% of rental listings in Greater Sydney were affordable for essential workers. This is an alarming percentage which, if not addressed, will shape the demographics of the Greater Sydney region for generations to come,” Mr Miller said. 

“Sydney’s housing affordability crisis and the growing number of Australians requiring health, aged care and social services support, are two of the most confronting challenges of our time. Our solution is to address these simultaneously. 

“Opening up housing options will help to relieve financial stress, reduce commute times, and ultimately improve quality of life for essential workers and their families. 

“This will be high quality housing provided at a subsidised rate for those who give so much to our communities – our nurses, teachers, social and aged care workers – and others who are essential to keep our cities operating.” 

Rob Stokes, Group Executive Housing at Anglicare Sydney, added that the Merrylands project is an extension of the genuine commitment to develop affordable housing options for Australians in need. 

“Anglicare Sydney has delivered more than 550 affordable homes across the Greater Sydney and the Illawarra,” Mr Stokes said. 

“In our early engagement with the community at Merrylands, we have been pleased to hear how positive people are about our plans to activate the space and the design of the building, as well as the important gap this kind of housing will fill. 

“As we submit our plans for development, we are proud to be thinking about the future of our society and creating a world where Australians can live in the communities they are serving,” said Mr Stokes. 

Earlier this week, Anglicare Sydney also announced the opening of building of 20 affordable apartments in Kingswood, also reserved for essential workers.  

The former National Rental Affordability Scheme complex was purchased by Anglicare to ensure that it was retained as affordable housing and held for essential workers in need. 

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MEDIA CONTACT 

Dylan Malloch 
Head of Media, Brand and Communications 
M: 0492 044 981 | E: dylan.malloch@anglicare.org.au