THE Salvation Army has entered into a partnership to transform its Miranda site to better meet needs for social support and faith services in Sydney’s Sutherland Shire.
Formus Property has been appointed as partner after the Salvation Army’s 12-month expressions of interest campaign. Formus is the new venture of experienced development specialists Ben Fairfax and Adam Lucas.
Currently, the 2,447 sqm site houses local welfare services including financial crisis assistance, access to transitional housing for vulnerable women and families, hot meals and hampers, training and mentoring to help vulnerable young people attain their driver’s licence, counselling for family issues, and drug and alcohol support.
The proposed development will encompass a purpose-built, holistic community centre that offers a range of professional services and faith pathways for community members, and the partnership will also investigate building a mix of apartments, including key worker housing, a Salvos Store at ground level and a social enterprise café providing opportunities for social connection and job skills.
Currently, more than 30 people work and volunteer on the site, providing assistance to over 150 people of all ages each week.
There will be no immediate disruptions to services and the on-site construction works are not proposed to commence until approximately mid-2025. The development will be funded by Formus.
