Calvary Health Care’s Sydney Williams retirement village in Doncaster East will operate as a seniors’ rental site, directly responding to community need as cost-of-living pressures impact older Australians.

The move follows Calvary’s strategic refresh in 2024, which called for a renewed focus across the organisation’s retirement village portfolio to support the delivery of connected care across all services from hospital to aged care to home care to retirement living, ensuring patients, residents and clients receive the appropriate care in the most suitable setting, and at the right time.

The currently vacant village is made up of eight two-bedroom units adjacent to Calvary Millward Residential Aged Care and represents the first fully dedicated seniors’ rental operation for the not-for-profit organisation across its 17 retirement village sites, and the only one of its kind in the Melbourne suburb.

Calvary Health Care’s National Chief Executive Officer, Martin Bowles, said compassion and practicality were the driving forces behind the shift from a deferred management fee operation and reflected the internal review that identified opportunities across the retirement village portfolio.

“Calvary is committed to serving the needs of the community and our decision to convert the operating model of our Sydney Williams site is in direct response to the enquiries we are receiving from those seeking affordable housing for seniors,”

“This essentially means future residents will receive the same services and benefits of a retirement village including social connections, low maintenance living, security, all without the lump sum ingoing contribution,” Mr Bowles said.

Future residents will also have access to additional services they can pay for including meals through the neighbouring residential aged care home, and Calvary’s Home Care services to assist with ageing in place for as long as possible if they need.

“Being co-located with one of our residential aged care homes is also a benefit for those planning for future care needs,” Mr Bowles added.

The apartments will be on the market from Monday, 10 February 2025. For enquiries call Calvary Assist to arrange a tour 1800 52 72 72.