Stigma-breaking housing model NorthSea in Wollongong offers dignity for all
Sandra Biggs and Sandra Wojcik are living in a new mixed-apartment building. (ABC Illawarra: Kelly Fuller)
In short:
The first residents are moving in to Wollongong's new 13-storey housing complex.
The development is being praised for challenging the stigma associated with social and affordable housing.
What's next?
The New South Wales government says the building will act as a blueprint for future housing supply.
Sandra Biggs and Sandra Wojcik are among the first residents in Australia's first building to integrate private, social and affordable housing without segregated lifts or common spaces.
Built on the site of a former social housing complex in Wollongong's CBD, the 13-storey NorthSea building includes 38 private apartments, 18 tenancies within 10 dual-key social housing dwellings, and six affordable housing apartments.
An artist's design of NorthSea. (Supplied: Traders in Purple)
Ms Biggs, who has been a social housing client for 12 years, said NorthSea was a transformative development.
"This is more than just housing, it is about people, it's about self-esteem, it's about being part of the community, it's about being treated with respect and dignity,"she said.
Now working as a mental health peer support worker, Ms Biggs credited stable housing with helping rebuild her life.
"It is the cornerstone of how we live, having housing — decent, affordable housing," she said.
The two Sandras were invited to the official opening. (Supplied: NSW Housing Trust)
For private market buyer Ms Wojcik, NorthSea was a perfect fit.
"I thought it was beautiful — beautifully located and built," she said.
"The social integration aspect is wonderful."
A chartered accountant who mentors young professionals, Ms Wojcik praised the model as "fantastic" and "critical that developers give back to the community somehow".
The New South Wales government supported the project by holding the land until pre-sales secured financing, reducing up-front costs and ensuring feasibility.
It later bought back social housing, while not-for-profit Housing Trust purchased affordable units for long-term community use.
The vacant project site in May 2020. (ABC Illawarra: Kelly Fuller)
Breaking stigma
Homes NSW executive Peter Brackenreg praised the private-public partnership
"It is the first truly mixed tenure building in Australia combining social, affordable and private housing altogether," he said.
"There is no segregation in the lifts, or lobbies or common areas or residential facilities.
"This is a concept that challenges the stigma of mixed tenure housing delivery, and it takes it head on."
Developer Charles Daoud, who is a director of Traders in Purple, said it was a rewarding endeavour.
"Projects like these are very satisfying because every time you think about it, drive past, meet one of the tenants you realise you are making a difference," Mr Daoud said.
"Is it a sustainable model? Look absolutely it is, but I would caution that by saying that we are very fortunate in that we have a really wonderful location here which is rich in amenities."
Amanda Winks says NorthSea is a beacon of hope. (ABC Illawarra: Kelly Fuller)
Housing Trust chief executive Amanda Winks said the project was "a beacon of hope".
"I hope this is the last time this is seen as an innovation, and I really hope that this is the blueprint for housing moving forward the way that it should be done."
NSW Planning Minister Paul Scully said the building was a blueprint for the future.
"It's a vertical version of a suburban street mixed tenure, close to jobs, transport, and services.
"Developments like this break cycles of inequity by providing stable, integrated environments."