Vacant Properties: A Hidden Solution to Sydney’s Housing Crisis

The statistics on homelessness in Australia are stark. In 2023-2024, one-third of people seeking short-term or emergency accommodation couldn’t find any, according to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. The numbers paint a bleak picture, but what’s equally striking is the vast number of vacant homes scattered throughout cities like Sydney.

Recent research by NSW Parliament found that nearly 9% of the state’s 3.35 million homes were unoccupied – awaiting demolition, renovation, or sale. In Parramatta alone, 769 people used homeless services in 2024, while a staggering 2016 dwellings showed no signs of electricity use.

Meanwhile Use, a concept pioneered by developers like Toga Australia, offers a beacon of hope. By leasing vacant properties to non-profits and providing temporary housing for those in need, these initiatives provide a lifeline to individuals struggling to find accommodation. For Jeanne-Vida Douglas, the innovation manager behind the new Meanwhile Use database, this approach is personal.

Douglas understands the desperation that comes with searching for a place to call home. Her own experience with temporary housing changed the course of her life 15 years ago when she found herself on the brink of homelessness after her marriage failed. Now, she wants to help others navigate the complex web of homelessness services.

Toga’s commitment to Meanwhile Use is admirable. With six empty properties leased pending development, they’ve provided 181,000 bed nights from January 2017 to June 2026 to people who’d otherwise be homeless at a cost of just $1 per non-profit wanting to lease an empty property. This small price pays for the stability and dignity that comes with temporary housing.

Young people are underrepresented in homelessness statistics, notes Rebecca Mullins, chief executive of My Foundations Youth Housing. Meanwhile Use offers a glimmer of hope – a way to unlock vacant properties and provide transitional accommodation that offers support while people work towards securing long-term housing.

The alliance launched last July, which includes Habitat for Humanity Australia, Property Industry Foundation, and other key players, is a significant step forward. Homelessness Minister Rose Jackson’s words are apt: “Rather than allowing properties to sit vacant, we can provide transitional accommodation that offers stability, dignity, and support while people work towards securing long-term housing.”

As the debate around affordable housing continues, it’s time to recognize the value of vacant properties. By using these empty homes, we can provide much-needed support to those on the brink of homelessness. It won’t solve everything overnight, but it’s a start – and one that requires a fundamental shift in how we approach housing.

The perfect is often the enemy of the good, as Mullins aptly puts it. Perhaps it’s time to rethink our expectations around Meanwhile Use initiatives. Instead of waiting for long-term solutions, can’t we try something new? Can’t we prioritize providing temporary housing and support to those who need it most?

Toga’s approach is not without its challenges – every development application faces delays, acknowledges Michelle Fischl. But the rewards far outweigh the risks. As she notes, “In a housing crisis, empty housing is akin to wasting water in a drought or food in a famine.” It’s time we started thinking differently about vacant properties and their role in addressing homelessness.

The alliance launched last July will undoubtedly be a crucial player in shaping this new approach. With its diverse membership and commitment to creative problem-solving, it has the potential to unlock a new wave of Meanwhile Use initiatives across Australia.

As Sydney grapples with its housing crisis, we’d do well to take note of Toga’s pioneering work. By embracing the concept of Meanwhile Use, developers like Toga can help bridge the gap between those in need and available housing. It won’t solve everything overnight, but it’s a crucial step towards providing stability and dignity for individuals struggling with homelessness.

As we move forward, one thing is clear: the future of affordable housing requires collaboration, creativity, and a willingness to challenge conventional thinking. With initiatives like Meanwhile Use leading the way, perhaps we can finally start to see some meaningful progress in addressing Australia’s housing crisis.