HERDU

This project aims to evaluate, and protect, the health and wellbeing of tenants of the Waterloo public housing estate as it is redeveloped to an ultra-high density and mixed tenure precinct.
The Waterloo public housing estate has about 2,000 medium/high-density dwellings, many in need of refurbishment. Approximately 8% of residents are Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander.
The NSW Government in 2015 announced plans to redevelop the estate at a higher density to include 7,000 dwellings, with two thirds private and one third social. Construction is expected to commence in 2022 and to last 15–20 years.
A health impact assessment (HIA) of the proposal by Sydney Local Health District (SLHD) focused on the potential for residents to experience psychological distress while awaiting rehousing. It recommended a longitudinal study to assess and act on the health impacts of the redevelopment.
The pilot study assessed the self-reported health status and behaviours of a sample of tenants, using a questionnaire administered online or face-to-face. Participants identified as being at risk of psychological distress or alcohol use disorder were referred to a link worker.
The full-scale study will use a quasi-experimental design with linked administrative data.
Christopher Standen
Phone: 02 9065 6081
Email: c.standen@unsw.edu.au
Healthy Urban Environments Collaboratory
HERDU
Health Environment