Last year, Northern Beaches Women’s Shelter was given free use of the former Wesley Taylor aged care site in Narrabeen to provide temporary housing for women in need. Niki Waldegrave speaks with some of the residents about how it has changed their life.
Northern Beaches Women’s Shelter (NBWS) has reached a significant milestone, transitioning to independence and expanding its services to help 50% more local women and children experiencing homelessness.
Over the past year, NBWS has provided over 10,000 bed nights and assisted over 100 women in crisis and transitional accommodation, increasing capacity by 50%.
NBWS chief executive officer Narelle Hand says calls for support over the Northern Beaches have reached unprecedented levels due to factors including economic stress, domestic violence, and the ongoing housing crisis. The Shelter supports countless local women, such as *Catherine and daughter Lola, 20, and *Jeanie, to rebuild their lives, reclaim independence and rejoin society.
To address these issues, NBWS is pioneering new models of transitional care such as its partnership with premium independent living specialists Retirement by Moran. The initiative has repurposed the former Wesley Taylor Residential Aged Care Facility in Narrabeen into affordable studio and one-bedroom apartments, named Narrabeen House, for up to 90 women, until June 2026. Retirement by Moran offered the site free of charge until its planned Indigo by Moran retirement project is built.
Narelle tells Peninsula Living Pittwater: “Retirement by Moran bought this accommodation in July last year which would have been vacant while they go through the State Government authority process.
“They were forward-thinking enough to offer it to an organisation such as ours to explore what’s possible. Within a month we were setting it up.
“Narrabeen house isn’t crisis accommodation, which is for people that need high levels of intensive support. It’s an affordable housing model for women who need time and a housing option to get some breathing space.
“It’s a transitional, affordable independent housing model which gives women the time to prepare for longer-term options. Narrabeen House is like a village, it’s humming and the outcomes have been amazing. I’m so proud of how the residents here are living together; the kindness and paying it forward when new people come in.
“This is why we continue to take on challenges and innovations like this, offering shelter and transitional housing with support services, advocacy, courses, and pathways to help women rebuild their lives and regain independence.”
JEANIE’S JOURNEY
After being retrenched in 2018 and suffering a brain injury in 2020, *Jeanie Clark, 56, became homeless, living in her car over winter and seeking shelter by a boat ramp.
“I felt like I’d been switched off,” she says. “I lost hope, felt unsafe and even washed my hair in shopping centres.”
That was until NBWS stepped in.
“Narrabeen House has been a lifeline. I’ve learned crafts, they’ve helped me find a neurologist, and a social worker is helping me apply for the disability support pension.”
She explains how having 12 to 18 months in her own room has ‘helped me get back on my feet. It’s the first time I’ve been able to lock my door in years and feel safe.’
CATHERINE: A STORY OF RESILIENCE AND HOPE
Catherine, former international vice president of a financial institution and children’s charity director, experienced a series of devastating events that led to her homelessness.
She swapped her corporate role for a lower-paid 9 to 5 admin job to care for her eldest daughter, *Lisa, navigating costly treatments in Australia and overseas, exhausting her savings and superannuation.
In the hope she would get better, Catherine, now 60, encouraged Lisa to travel once she’d finished her HSC. But despite their best efforts, Lisa’s health continued to deteriorate.
“She went from being a highly engaged, athletic and academic teenager, to suddenly bedridden and wheelchair-bound. Nobody in Australia could determine what was wrong,” says Catherine.
“She somehow did her HSC, I’ve no idea how, and we planned this huge trip. She was excited she was finally going to be experiencing life.”
Within three days of Lisa’s big adventure, COVID-19 hit, and Catherine, holding back tears, says, “I told her to come home.”
On return, Lisa, who was eventually diagnosed with Lyme’s disease – which isn’t recognised by medical professionals in Australia – enrolled at Macquarie University and initially thrived.
However, the subsequent lockdowns took a devastating toll on her mental health and tragically, aged just 19, Lisa took her own life.
Moran’s Sally Taylor and NBWS’s Narelle Hand and Rosy Sullivan opening Narrabeen House last July
“There is no greater loss than losing a child,” Catherine shares. “The trauma changes you. I became agoraphobic and suffered panic attacks. Not only did my youngest daughter lose her sister, she watched me crumble. The guilt was enormous.”
Facing homelessness, Catherine sold her fridge for a night’s stay at a hostel before being connected with NBWS. Now residing at Narrabeen House, she says: “NBWS has given us stability, guidance, and a sense of community. Most importantly, Lola and I have been able to stay together.”
“It’s criminal that so many buildings are standing empty when they could be used for social housing”
Sally Taylor, Retirement by Moran
A beacon of hope
Sally Taylor, Managing Director of Retirement by Moran, says Narrabeen House exemplifies how unused buildings can meet pressing social needs. “It’s criminal that so many buildings stand empty when they could be used for social housing,” she asserts.
“There is often a reluctance to commit to things outside the box, usually because of fear of risk, compliance and regulation. But it can be done in a way that makes a huge difference.
“We encourage other developers to explore similar models. We’re happy to share our documentation and demonstrate how we’ve managed the risks.”
Jeanie and Catherine’s stories are testament to the transformative impact of NBWS.
“It’s essential people understand that homelessness can happen to anyone,” says Catherine. “Humans need connection, respect and dignity, and to feel safe.
“NBWS has given us that plus stability, guidance, and a sense of community. It allows you to rebuild your life in affordable transitional housing, and there’s a real camaraderie here. Most importantly, Lola and I have been able to stay together.”
Sally emphasises the importance of repurposing unused spaces, adding: “Retirement by Moran’s partnership sets a precedent for addressing homelessness in meaningful and sustainable ways.”
As demand for housing support continues to rise, Narelle says NBWS’s innovative approach and partnerships like this ‘offer hope for vulnerable women on the Northern Beaches and beyond.’
“It’s so impactful when people don’t know their next stage or what to do,” she surmises. “When we connected with Sally and Retirement by Moran, we were like, ‘these are our people’.
“They understand what we’re trying to do and the challenges facing people in our community. Initiatives like this are a healing journey and pathway forward for women to access psychological safety, with safe, secure and supportive accommodation.”
*Names have been changed.