40 years of Great Places, Thriving People, Connected Communities.
‘To create secure, affordable and sensitively managed housing opportunities for the poor needy and underprivileged.’
This simple objective was carefully typed on page 1 of our first annual report, a stapled-together document on yellowing pages that have stood the test of time. A child’s drawing of the sun shining on a row of houses illustrates the cover.
There is great warmth and purpose in this early document, no doubt crafted by a man named Frank Baker and a small group of driven and kind-hearted people whose passion to empower others in need led to the creation of St George Community Housing 40 years ago on 1 January, 1985.
Legend has it we were formed on the back veranda of a house owned by one of those founding few. We would begin creating homes that year with two staff members, a committee and fewer than 25 properties in the St George area.
That was an achievement in itself, but if only Frank and those early collaborators knew what was to come.
Today, SGCH provides a place to call home for nearly 11,500 social and affordable customers in 7000 properties under ownership and management.
SGCH now owns or manages $4.2 billion worth of property and has a deliberate strategy to use its expertise to create even more homes for social, affordable and key worker customers at this time of national housing need.
The staff of two has grown to 270 and we create great places, thriving people, connected communities right across Sydney – from Waverley to Liverpool and from the Sutherland Shire to Hornsby.
But great places are not just bricks and mortar. As well as providing safe and sustainable housing, we connect people and communities to opportunity.
SGCH provides expert customer support and engagement with a full program of free workshops and events, no-interest loans, academic scholarships and assistance with vocational training.
We are many things to many people – we happily support customers through most of their lives. For others, we are a stepping stone into the private rental market or to home ownership.
Happy birthday to us! Here’s to 40 more years of great places, thriving people, connected communities.
Our customers are SGCH’s reason for being.
To celebrate our 40th anniversary, we’ve highlighted just some of the stories of the 11,400+ people we’re proud to provide a home to.
Trent’s Story
Turning his life around through determination and some great support, SGCH customer Trent is now looking forward to helping others.
Read Trent’s story
Fran’s story
Stability and security mean a lot to one of our long-standing customers.
Read Fran’s story
Toni’s Story
Taking excellent care of her home earned Toni one of SGCH’s Pride of Place awards. Despite battling cancer, Toni finds solace and satisfaction in maintaining a tidy interior and a lush garden.
Read Toni’s story
Joseph’s story
With assistance from SGCH’s Employment Opportunities team, Joseph has gained the skills and confidence to land a job he loves – and he hasn’t looked back.
Read Joseph’s story
Caitlyn and Esa’s stories
In 2024, SGCH awarded the inaugural Fouad Deiri OAM Strive Scholarships to two aspiring high school students, supporting their dreams of careers in construction.
Read Caitlyn and Esa’s stories
Aisea & Veronica’s stories
Riverwood customers Aisea and Veronica embody the power of community connection. With their shared passion for getting people together and giving back, they are proof that staying active and engaged is the key to ageing well.
Read Aisea and Veronica’s stories
Wynona’s story
SGCH’s Catalyst program helped Wynona secure a 12-month traineeship with Westpac. She made such an impression she now works there full-time.
Amina’s story
After more than 20 years of living with SGCH, one Sydney family is proud to now own a home.
Galina’s story
95-year-old Galina has lived in SGCH’s Greenway building since 2005. Though unsure at first, she now very much appreciates her home and community.
Karen’s story
Her relocation, part of the Bonnyrigg Estate Renewal project, has had some great outcomes for this customer.