The importance of Transitional Housing in The Hills Shire 

Transitional community housing is increasingly vital in The Hills Shire, a region grappling with rising housing stress and limited affordable housing options. While the area is often perceived as affluent, a closer examination reveals a growing need for supportive housing solutions. 

🏘️ Housing Tenure and Affordability in The Hills Shire 

According to the 2021 Census, The Hills Shire had a total of 62,300 private dwellings. Of these, 76% were either fully owned or being purchased, 19.6% were rented privately, and only 0.4% were social housing. This low proportion of social housing underscores the scarcity of affordable housing options for vulnerable populations. 

Community feedback reflects concerns about housing affordability. A 2023 community satisfaction survey revealed very low agreement levels regarding housing affordability (renting, housing, and buying) within the LGA. 

🏚️ Hidden Homelessness and Transitional Housing Initiatives 

Homelessness in The Hills Shire is often less visible but nonetheless pressing. In 2023, a transitional housing project in Kenthurst led by Hills resident, Dennis Van Someren, was completed to provide temporary accommodation for individuals and families in crisis. This initiative was highlighted during the “Hidden Homeless in the Hills” forum, emphasising the need for such housing solutions in the area. 

To address the lack of transitional housing, The Hills Shire Council introduced a pioneering Transitional Housing Policy Framework during 2017 by its then Mayor Yvonne Keane. This model encouraged developers to include a small number of transitional dwellings within new developments in exchange for increased development yield. This approach was aimed to integrate transitional housing into the broader community fabric. Apparently, Mayor Yvonne Keane’s proposal was a planning proposal, so it had to come through council, then go to the Department of planning, then head back to council. It was passed through the first two steps. Then when it came back to council for final approval, the then Mayor Michelle Byrne and her councillors voted it down. That is why it never went ahead. Sadly, we have seen no follow up on this much needed policy as we have seen no transitional dwellings handed over for this pressing cause. 

🏗️ Housing Development and Future Plans 

The Hills Shire is experiencing significant housing development to meet growing demand. In September 2024, the LGA was among the top in NSW for new home approvals, indicating a surge in housing stock. 

However, challenges remain. Despite approved plans for over 6,000 homes near Bella Vista, Kellyville, and Cherrybrook Metro stations, construction has yet to commence, delaying the availability of new housing options. 

🤝 Community Support and Assistance Programs 

Local organisations are actively working to support residents facing housing insecurity. The Hills Homeless Prevention Initiative (HHPI) offers rental and bond assistance to those experiencing financial hardship, funded by community events. 

Additionally, some organisations like The Community Foundation of North Western Sydney have been Bridging the Gap through their internally run initiatives. Furthermore, services like the Young Families Homelessness & Housing Support program assist young parents in finding or maintaining housing, providing transitional accommodation, and parenting support. 

Here’s a comparison between The Hills Shire housing statistics and national figures in Australia, highlighting key areas like housing tenure, social housing, homelessness, and housing affordability:

🏠 Housing Tenure

Metric	The Hills Shire (2021 Census)	Australia (2021 Census)
Owned outright or with a mortgage	76%	66%
Rented privately	19.6%	30.6%
Social housing (public/community)	0.4%	3.8%

➡️ The Hills has significantly less social housing than the national average, indicating a limited safety net for vulnerable residents.

🏚️ Homelessness

Metric	The Hills Shire	Australia (2021 Census)
Estimated rate (per 10,000 people)	~12–15 (estimated)	42 per 10,000
Visibility	Often “hidden” homelessness (e.g., couch surfing)	Nationally, 23% were in severely crowded dwellings

➡️ Homelessness is less visible but still present in The Hills, often affecting families and youth in crisis situations.

🏗️ Housing Affordability

Metric	The Hills Shire	Australia
Median weekly rent (2021)	$520	$375
% of households in rental stress	~32% of renters	~32%

➡️ Despite higher incomes, The Hills has high rental prices, putting pressure on low-to-moderate income households.

🏘️ New Housing Development

Metric	The Hills Shire	Australia
New dwellings planned	6,000+ (Bella Vista, Kellyville, Cherrybrook corridor)	1 million+ (National Housing Accord goal by 2029)

➡️ Local planning is ambitious, but delivery is lagging compared to national targets and timelines.

🤝 Community & Transitional Housing Support

Metric	The Hills Shire	Australia
Transitional projects	1 project completed (2023, Kenthurst)	12,000+ dwellings under community housing (2023)
National funding support	Supported by NSW Government & Council	$1 billion+ federal investment via NHIF

➡️ The Hills is a policy pioneer (first LGA in Sydney with a transitional housing framework), but overall volume is modest.

📝 Summary

Category	The Hills Shire	National Average
Social housing	🔴 Far below average	⚪ Average
Homelessness	🟠 Hidden, growing	🔴 More visible
Housing affordability	🔴 Expensive area	🟠 Still a concern
Transitional housing effort	🟢 Innovative local policy	🟢 Federal push underway
New supply	🟠 Planned, slow delivery	🟠 National target still in progress

📌 Conclusion

While The Hills Shire continues to grow and develop, addressing the needs of its most vulnerable residents remains crucial. Transitional community housing, supported by innovative policies and community initiatives, plays a key role in providing stability and support for those facing housing challenges. Ongoing collaboration between government, developers, and community organisations is essential to ensure that all residents have access to safe and affordable housing. For more information on Transitional Community Housing and their programs, contact Dennis Van Someren via   www.transitionalcommunityhousing.org.au.

At present Hills Sydney Digital magazine have been advised that there are three women in the Hills who are homeless living out of their cars or sleeping in containers in the cold. If you’d like to help them pls contact us so we can help them back to a safe place.