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Project 40

Project 40 provides supportive housing for chronically homeless and/or highly vulnerable people. Local services provide tailor-made, wraparound services — such as medical or psychiatric care, financial counselling or family reconnection — to help tenants settle and eventually become independent.

The Project 40 consortium is a unique collaboration between more than 80 services, including:

The consortium is funded by the NSW and Commonwealth Governments and delivered by Wentworth Community Housing. Coordination groups in Penrith, Hawkesbury and Blue Mountains assess applicants against a vulnerability index and then oversee each tenancy. Through their commitment to the Housing First principle, Wentworth Community Housing has provided 54 permanent supportive houses for the chronically homeless.

For further information regarding Project 40 please contact us

Melissa's story

“I lived in the same rental house for 12 years and then it was sold and I had to leave. I had no idea that was allowed. I had a good record with paying rent. We went from motel to motel for ages and then we were stuck with nowhere. I ended up in crisis accommodation with my two teenagers, a boy and a girl, for 11 months. I had crippling leg pains which were diagnosed as arthritis and then I found out it was hydrocephalus. I had an operation for water on the brain while we were in crisis housing. We stayed in a granny flat for a while. Eventually we were accepted into a Project 40 villa. Just after that I injured my knee stepping off a bus and was in hospital for five weeks. That was the one good thing about the second time in hospital – we had our own place by then. When we got this Project 40 house, I couldn't believe it at first. I just thought things kept getting bad and worse and it couldn't be happening. But it did and I'm so happy. I used to be a binge drinker but I don't drink any more. It was easy to stop because I put my kids first. I always have. The kids are happier at school, they can have friends sleep over. It's excellent to be in secure housing, I feel relieved and happy. We've finally got a place that is ours. Now we don't have to worry about getting an eviction notice.”

Melissa Skeen | single mother of two teenagers

Rodney's story

“Me and my dog Emily have lived in a one-bedroom flat in Katoomba for five months. I was homeless for about 18 months before, stayed here there and everywhere, with friends and family, but I didn’t want to outstay my welcome. I slept in my car a lot, in the back streets of Penrith, in the bush, on the beach. I picked quiet places and didn’t get hassled. Emily keeps me sane. I broke up with a partner and thought of committing suicide a couple of times because life just seems to dwindle away. But Emily got me through it. Now I feel pretty good – it’s to do with having a house and feeling secure. You feel a lot better inside yourself. I love my flat. It makes me toe the line because I have to be vigilant with money. It sounds funny, but I’ve got the freedom to know this is my place. Katoomba is cold but I’m comfy and warm. I might try and get my truck licence back and get a driving job if my back can handle it.”

Rodney Neal | disability pensioner and former rough sleeper

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