New social housing for Sydney trans women secured via government fundingBy state political reporter Alexander LewisTopic:Public Housing4h ago4 hours agoThu 8 May 2025 at 8:28pmLoading...abc.net.au/news/trans-women-housing-sydney-government-funding-support-coop/105217438Link copiedShareShare articleFor Kooncha Brown and Chantell Martin, finding a stable home has always been a battle.Faced with hatred and prejudice because of their gender identity, the trans women have struggled to find housing in the private rental market."Landlords won't rent to us," Ms Brown told the ABC."Most of us end up in … public housing, and some of us end up couch surfing, homeless."Even when they do find housing, it often feels unsafe because of stigma and discrimination from neighbours."Getting yelled at, getting called names, things are left in [the] mailbox," Ms Martin said."A lot of trans people have been hurt at their own properties that they've rented."Chantell Martin says hostility from neighbours is terrifying to experience. (ABC News: Jak Rowland)Ms Martin said hostility from neighbours once made her so fearful she decided to sleep rough."It was safer for me not to be cooped up in a property [but instead] be out there on the streets and living with other people that are like me," she said.Fourteen years ago, Ms Brown and Ms Martin formed a housing cooperative with other trans women.A housing cooperative is a legal entity that runs affordable and secure housing for its members.But the group called All Nations had not secured any properties — until now.'Life-changing' homes securedAll Nations acquired seven terrace homes previously owned by the City of Sydney Council.The seven terrace homes will provide a safe haven for the women. (ABC News: Alex Lewis)The council sold the properties to community housing organisation Common Equity NSW for about $2.4 million — 70 per cent below the market rate.The purchase and upcoming refurbishment of the homes, which have sat empty for years, is being funded by the federal and state governments.Nick Sabel, chief executive officer of Common Equity NSW, said the project was believed to be Australia's first housing cooperative for transgender women."It's long-term housing for as long as they need or want," Mr Sabel said."It's going to be life-changing," he said.Nick Sabel says this social housing is designed to be "long-term" if needed.
(ABC News: Alex Lewis)NSW Housing Minister Rose Jackson said it was quicker to renovate existing properties than to build new ones."We're looking for quick solutions to the housing crisis," Ms Jackson said."The result is a safe home for some of the most vulnerable people in the community."The property and its refurbishment is being funded by the federal and state governments. (ABC News: Alex Lewis)The ABC has agreed not to reveal the exact location of the properties because of safety concerns.Ms Martin said it was vital the group secured housing in the inner city, where most services for trans people were located."To move away from here would be to move away from our support services, like our medical services, the doctors that we see, and our social group," she said."The transgender community is predominantly in this area."Ms Martin and Ms Brown say it's crucial to have affordable and safe housing solutions in the inner city for the trans community. (ABC: Jak Rowland)The project will help to preserve the character of the neighbourhood, as gentrification increasingly prices out people of diverse genders and sexualities.Independent Sydney MP Alex Greenwich said it was important to maintain affordable housing in the area."What we don't want is Darlinghurst or the City of Sydney to become an area where only the rich can afford to live," Mr Greenwich said.Posted 4h ago4 hours agoThu 8 May 2025 at 8:28pm, updated 52m ago52 minutes agoThu 8 May 2025 at 11:39pmShare optionsCopy linkFacebookX (formerly Twitter)Top StoriesAmerican Robert Prevost elected pope and will be known as Pope Leo XIVLIVEPhoto shows A man in religious robes looks down from a balconyPrice defection slammed as hostile Liberal takeover with Angus TaylorTopic:Political LeadershipPhoto shows Federal shadow minister for Indigenous Australians Jacinta Price standing and speaking outside a voting centre.An energy giant 'drained' this householder's batteryTopic:Energy IndustryPhoto shows Man wearing baseball cap and khaki green t-shirt standing next to household Tesla batteryFirst Trump tariff deal boosts US shares but ASX set for flat startLIVEPhoto shows Keir Starmer and Donald Trump shake hands and make eye contact Meeting with hate preacher triggers court order for notorious terror leaderTopic:ExtremismPhoto shows image of convicted terrorist Abdul BenbrikaRelated storiesFormer principal Scott Butler never thought he'd end up homelessTopic:Housing PolicyPhoto shows A man with glasses looking away with trees and sky behind himApril was homeless eight weeks ago, now she is a home ownerTopic:HomelessnessPhoto shows Trans woman standing in door way wearing grey t-shirt and smilingRelated topicsGender IdentityLGBTPublic HousingRental HousingSydneyTop StoriesAmerican Robert Prevost elected pope and will be known as Pope Leo XIVTopic:Religious LeadersPhoto shows A man in religious robes looks down from a balconyPrice defection slammed as hostile Liberal takeover with Angus TaylorTopic:Political LeadershipAn energy giant 'drained' this householder's batteryTopic:Energy IndustryFirst Trump tariff deal boosts US shares but ASX set for flat startTopic:Stock MarketMeeting with hate preacher triggers court order for notorious terror leaderTopic:ExtremismJust InAustralia's political conclave theatrics feel blokey, but the future is femaleAAnalysis by Annabel Crabb12m ago12 minutes agoFri 9 May 2025 at 12:19amShould Netflix's Adolescence be a teaching tool in schools?Topic:Parenting Teenagers19m ago19 minutes agoFri 9 May 2025 at 12:12amRenting labelled the Pilbara's 'Achilles heel' with no clear solutionTopic:Rental Housing36m ago36 minutes agoThu 8 May 2025 at 11:55pmIn 10 minutes, Pope Leo XIV told us a lot about himself, and his agendaTopic:Religious Leaders21m ago21 minutes agoFri 9 May 2025 at 12:10amMore Just InBack to top