Sydney's property boom proved to be an unanticipated river of gold for Sylvia Hale, but for thousands of others, escalating prices have led to financial stress or homelessness.
So when the former Greens MP sold an Erskineville warehouse previously used for her publishing business, she knew exactly what she was going to do with part of the proceeds.
Ms Hale has donated $500,000 to Bridge Housing, a non-profit community housing provider that operates primarily in inner Sydney.
She and her husband acquired the Erskineville property on the cheap when setting up the publishing company, Hale & Iremonger, in the late 1970s, selling it this year.
"In the meantime there have been these huge demographic changes in the inner west, so when it sold, it sold for infinitely more than I had anticipated," she said.
"I decided to put a good proportion of the proceeds into matters which are very dear to my heart."
While the property market had been kind to her, Ms Hale was aware it had been cruel to others who were locked out of affordable housing.
A member of the Legislative Council between 2003 and 2010 and a former Marrickville councillor, Ms Hale believes both sides of state government have failed to address the lack of affordable housing, particularly in Sydney.
"I do not believe in charity," she said. "I think that absolves government of the need to make appropriate provisions for people. But then I turn around and see such enormous need and it's not getting any better. In fact, it's deteriorated."
The gift is the largest single donation received by Bridge Housing, with chief executive John Nicolades saying it came as quite a surprise.
"When Sylvia called me and said, 'I am thinking of donating $500,000 to Bridge Housing,' I nearly fell off my seat," he said.
"Sylvia has been quite generous. She has really put her money where her mouth is."
Bridge Housing either owns or manages more than 1600 properties, assisting 2700 people, from rough sleepers to low-income workers who cannot find affordable rental accommodation.
While Rodney Cooke was eligible for a social housing property in Whalan in Sydney's west, he said continuing issues with crime and violence in the area forced him out.
"I used to think I would be better off living in the local park – it's less dangerous," he said. "Or I thought I could go back out bush. I'm not bothered by snakes or spiders."
Bridge Housing helped him move into secure and affordable accommodation in Paddington and now he is looking for work.
"When I see people out on the streets, I use them as my mirror because I realise I could have ended up like that – a drug addict, an alcoholic, a violent person," he said. "My situation now is a lot better. I feel like someone. I feel like I'm part of the community."
