BREAKING: NRL Top Star Nathan Cleary Secretly Bought his Family’s Childhood Home to Fulfill Mother’s Dream — Converts It into $7.9M Homeless Shelter in Sydney’s Palm Beach
In a powerful display of heart and humility, NRL top star Nathan Cleary has secretly purchased his family’s childhood home in Sydney’s prestigious Palm Beach and transformed it into a $7.9 million homeless shelter—an act of kindness inspired by his mother’s long-held dream.
Cleary, one of rugby league’s most accomplished and respected players, made the purchase late last year in complete privacy. The home, which holds deep sentimental value for the Cleary family, is now the site of a purpose-built community refuge named “Bec’s Haven,” in honor of his mother, Bec Cleary.
According to sources close to the Panthers co-captain, his mother had spoken for years about wanting to use the family home to serve a greater purpose. As a former schoolteacher and passionate community advocate, she often expressed her wish to help people experiencing homelessness find not only shelter, but dignity and hope.
Nathan, now 27 and at the peak of his NRL career, decided to act quietly on that dream. With an investment totaling $7.9 million—including renovations, permits, and operational setup—he has turned that vision into a reality.
“Home is something many people take for granted,” Cleary said in a brief statement released Monday. “For us, that house was filled with love and safety. My mum always believed that everyone deserves that. This is my way of honoring her and helping others find their footing again.”
The newly redeveloped property includes private rooms, family units, communal kitchens, counseling spaces, and job-readiness support services. Designed in collaboration with local non-profits and architects specializing in trauma-informed spaces, the shelter is set to provide transitional accommodation to more than 30 individuals and families at a time.
The location—Palm Beach, one of Sydney’s wealthiest suburbs—was a deliberate choice. “We want to challenge perceptions about homelessness,” said one project partner. “It’s not just an inner-city issue. Everyone deserves compassion, no matter the postcode.”
Cleary kept the entire initiative under wraps until final council approval and staffing were completed earlier this month. News began to spread only after community stakeholders received formal invitations to the grand opening, scheduled for late May.
Fans, teammates, and the broader NRL community have since flooded social media with praise, calling Cleary’s gesture “extraordinary,” “genuine,” and “a legacy far beyond sport.”
With his actions, Nathan Cleary proves that true leadership goes beyond the field—into the hearts and homes of those most in need.