Our Story
2001
House of Welcome opened in Canley Vale, in south-west Sydney. Initiated by the NSW Ecumenical Council with support from Anglican, Catholic, and Uniting churches, it provided emergency accommodation for people seeking asylum leaving Villawood Detention Centre on Temporary Protection Visas (TPVs).
2003
House of Welcome expanded its reach by opening a drop-in centre in Carramar, offering vital support to people facing hardship, particularly those without access to work or English language skills.
2004
2008
As immigration policies changed with the abolition of Temporary Protection Visas, House of Welcome adapted to focus on supporting people on bridging visas. This marked a significant turning point in our mission.
Under the leadership of St Francis Social Services and the Franciscan Friars, House of Welcome entered a new chapter, bringing renewed energy and direction to its mission.
2010
2017
A major milestone came with our relocation to Granville, where we expanded our services to provide transitional housing, casework, financial aid, medical support, employment assistance, and a food bank.
2018
House of Welcome launched its catering social enterprise, House of Welcome Catering (HW Catering), empowering people seeking asylum with hospitality work experience. The program began in a borrowed kitchen at Granville Community Centre.
2021
HW Catering flourished with the establishment of a dedicated commercial kitchen at our Granville location.
Today
House of Welcome continues to thrive, and is now standing as one of NSW's largest provider of transitional housing for people seeking asylum and refugees. Our legacy is built on compassion, adaptability, and a steadfast commitment to supporting people seeking asylum.