A CONTRACT has been awarded for the restoration and upgrade of seven houses at the Stockton Centre, which will be transformed into short-term crisis housing.

Prior to its 2020 closure, the Stockton Centre provided residential accommodation for people with disabilities, and previously operated as a hospital under various names since 1917.

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In March the NSW Government announced plans to refurbish buildings at the site to provide temporary accommodation for up to 25 people experiencing homelessness.

Last week, the $1.8 million contract for the work was awarded to Construction Landscape Excavation Group (CLEG).

In collaboration with social and affordable housing provider Home In Place, the upgrade could include configurations of one six-bedroom, four five-bedroom, and two four-bedroom homes.

Work is expected to be completed by mid-December, with residents due to start moving in from as early as January 2025.

Member for Port Stephens Kate Washington, who is also the state’s Disability Inclusion Minister, said the government was “harnessing every opportunity to house those with nowhere else to turn”.

“Soon we will see the Stockton Centre supporting local families in the short term, whilst the Minns Labor Government works on delivering homes for the future.”

Landcom is also conducting due diligence on the Stockton Centre site, in anticipation it could support more than 500 dwellings through either Landcom or a developer.

“In the future, the Stockton Centre could provide approximately 500 homes for the community. In the meantime, we are delivering stable shelter for those without a home, giving them a foundation and a pathway to permanent accommodation,” NSW Minister for Housing and Homelessness Rose Jackson said.