Supporting secure housing: Rouse Hill project
For Emilie and her family, finding a stable home at Rouse Hill has been life‑changing.
Emilie, who has autism and an intellectual disability, had faced prolonged housing uncertainty. Her mother, Lorraine, describes the relief and security that came with Emilie being offered a permanent home through social housing at Rouse Hill.
“We consider ourselves very fortunate, firstly for affordable housing, and now that Emilie has been given a lease for life at the Rouse Hill social housing apartments,” Lorraine said.
For Lorraine, the offer of a home brought an overwhelming sense of relief.
“I cried with relief for a week after Emilie was offered the apartment at Rouse Hill. Emilie has autism and an intellectual disability, and women like her are vulnerable- taking other people at face value.”
Having a secure, purpose built apartment has given both Emilie and her family peace of mind.
“With the apartment at Rouse Hill, I know that she’ll be safe - it’s secure and a lovely environment. Link Wentworth has gone out of their way to help us. Emilie would have had a life of homelessness if it weren’t for Link Wentworth.”
The Rouse Hill development comprises 33 new, modern social housing apartments delivered through Round One of the Housing Australia Future Fund (HAFF) in partnership with community housing provider Link Wentworth. The 7 storey building is fully tenanted by people from the local social housing waitlist and includes four adaptable apartments designed to support people with disability, as well as shared outdoor spaces.
Located next to the local shopping precinct and within walking distance of the metro station, the development has been designed to support everyday living and community connection. Shared spaces encourage residents to connect, while convenient access to transport and services helps people remain engaged with their local area.
Rouse Hill is the second of nine Link Wentworth projects being delivered under the HAFF, demonstrating how collaboration between governments and the community housing sector is delivering tangible outcomes for communities seeking housing support. Together, these projects represent a significant long term Commonwealth investment in secure, well designed homes that respond to local need and provide affordable, comfortable housing for those who need it most.
The development was officially opened in April 2026 by the Hon Clare O’Neil MP, Minister for Housing and Homelessness, alongside the Hon Michelle Rowland MP, Attorney General of Australia, Link Wentworth Chair Mike Allen OAM, CEO Andrew McAnulty, State and local government representatives, project partners and Housing Australia.
For residents like Emilie, the impact is immediate and deeply personal: a safe place to live, long term stability, and the opportunity to build a secure life within a supportive community.
