A major youth housing initiative is underway in Surry Hills, with construction industry partners including Mapei supporting the delivery of 19 bedrooms at Haven House South Dowling.
Industry-Backed Youth Housing Project Advances in Surry Hills
A large-scale residential development aimed at addressing youth homelessness is moving forward in Surry Hills. Haven House South Dowling, led by the Property Industry Foundation in collaboration with Homes NSW, the City of Sydney, The Salvation Army, and industry partners including Mapei, will deliver 19 supported bedrooms for vulnerable young people aged 16 to 24.
Multi-Partner Collaboration to Deliver Long-Term Support
Mapei, joining the Foundation as a Platinum Partner, is contributing high-performance building materials and on-site technical expertise to the South Dowling project. This contribution supports the overall construction process, with a focus on product sustainability, durability and efficiency.
The initiative brings together over 20 firms from the construction and property sector, including Charter Hall, Lendlease, ISPT and The GPT Group. A combined $3 million in funding from Homes NSW and a $5.9 million discounted lease from the City of Sydney underpin the project, while Goodman Foundation has contributed $1.5 million.
Construction of the 799 sqm development will be managed by Essence Project Management, with design by Fitzpatrick + Partners.
Program Structure and Resident Pathways
The building will consist of nine two-bedroom units and one single-bedroom unit. Each tenancy will be managed by The Salvation Army’s Oasis Youth Services. Residents will receive ongoing support in areas including education, employment readiness, financial management and living skills.
The program will follow a stepped rent model to help residents establish a rental history, supporting future applications in the private housing market once full-time employment is secured.
This approach aims to provide a pathway out of homelessness, offering young residents both stable accommodation and tools for long-term independence.
Industry’s Role in Social Outcomes
Mapei’s involvement reflects a wider industry shift towards social impact, with the company aligning this contribution with its broader values of sustainability and community engagement. As part of its role, Mapei will also participate in fundraising activities to help the Foundation reach its target of 300 completed bedrooms by the end of 2025.
Close to $1 million in pro bono consulting services has been delivered to date, with contributions from engineering, design and legal firms such as MinterEllison, Northrop, ADP Consulting and Arcadia.
A further $1 million in building costs is expected to be covered by donated materials from suppliers including Brickworks, CSR, and KONE.
Surry Hills Flagship Nears Construction Phase
Haven House South Dowling is expected to begin construction within the year. Once completed, it will be one of the few long-term supported housing facilities for young people in Sydney. The facility will feature communal areas, an outdoor terrace and landscaped green spaces designed to support both wellbeing and development.
The project is positioned as a model for industry-government-community collaboration in addressing youth homelessness.
Published 28-July-2025
