Our impact in Sydney

Our history in Sydney

Over the last 142 years, The Salvation Army has supported those most vulnerable in Sydney’s inner city — from people experiencing homelessness, to those struggling with mental health, addiction and violence. We have, and continue to meet  people at their point of need, and journey with them on their path out of crisis and hardship, to a brighter future.

Wherever there is hardship or injustice, The Salvation Army will live, love and fight alongside others, to transform Australia one life at a time with the love of Jesus.

Current challenges impacting our work

Evidence suggests the issues of homelessness, family violence and addiction are worsening, with more people impacted than ever. Consequently, our facilities in New South Wales have witnessed a significant increase in demand for their services.

But after decades of constant use and the development of new models of care which move away from communal care to bespoke service delivery, as well as changes to government funding, the existing facilities are no longer fit for purpose, and it is becoming increasingly difficult to provide the support and care people need.

Our ongoing work

The Salvation Army follows a ‘no wrong door’ approach when assisting people in need, which ensures anyone approaching the Salvos for support is directly referred to the service that is right for them, rather than being given the go-around when seeking help.

This approach saw The Salvation Army deliver more than 1.67 million sessions of care across all of our support programs and community services in FY2022–2023. In New South Wales, our efforts are supported by 218 officers, almost 2600 staff and over 5000 volunteers.

The Salvation Army plans to address these challenges and make a greater impact on the
issues of homelessness, addiction, family and domestic violence and youth homelessness than ever before.

The case for revitalisation of mission expressions

For over a century, The Salvation Army has stood as a beacon of hope in the heart of Sydney, providing critical assistance to the most vulnerable members of our community. Since 1882, our unwavering commitment to compassion and service has transformed countless lives, offering refuge to the homeless, empowering at-risk youth, and guiding individuals towards recovery from addiction.

However, with changing dynamics in care models and funding structures, alongside the wear and tear of decades of use, the urgent revitalization of key facilities like William Booth House, Foster House, Oasis House, and Samaritan House is imperative in our mission to continue to deliver care. This revitalization aims to align services with evolving needs and transitioning from communal support to tailored, individualized assistance.