Housing project tackles growing community crisis in Tasmania
Housing project tackles growing community crisis in Tasmania
27 April 2022
Tasmania Divisional Commander Captain Kim Haworth (left) and Bruce and Brooke Neill of The Select Foundation at the launch of a community housing project on the former Salvation Army Moonah corps site.
The Salvation Army has partnered with the Tasmanian State Government and The Select Foundation on a new community housing project to support women over 55 experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness.
The 21-unit development on the former Salvation Army Moonah Corps site will be managed by The Salvation Army and will offer one and two-bedroom units. The site became available when The Salvation Army moved its church and Emergency Relief Doorways Centre to Glenorchy.
Bruce Neill and his daughter, Brooke, from The Select Foundation, partnered with The Salvation Army on the project. The foundation is an ongoing supporter of the Salvos Sleep Out and Street to Home programs.
Bruce, the foundation chairman, said he and Brooke were impressed with the project’s clear purpose to support the growing number of women over 55 experiencing or at risk of experiencing homelessness in Tasmania. The foundation has made a significant contribution to the Hopkins Street development.
“We are proud and excited to be part of this community social housing development, and we look forward to the journey with The Salvation Army and the women who will be housed and supported,” Bruce said.
The risk of homelessness in Australia is highest for those who have experienced family and domestic violence, young people, children in care and on protection orders, Indigenous Australians, people leaving health or social care arrangements, and Australians aged 55 or older, particularly women.
Tasmania Divisional Commander Captain Kim Haworth said the project was the first of its kind for The Salvation Army in Tasmania.
“This project is just one example of what we can achieve in Tasmania when we partner together to address this growing community crisis,” she said.
“Our professional team of staff and volunteers look forward to working with our housed community members and helping them on the road to a brighter future. The facility will include a small community space where extra support and activities by The Salvation Army will provide greater opportunities to assist residents and others in relevant ways that add value. Our desire is to build homes and healthy communities where every person is valued and can contribute to the mutual flourishing of our society.
“Thank you to our project partners, the Tasmanian State Government, Bruce and Brooke from The Select Foundation and the many others who have supported our efforts to get this important development off the ground.”
The units are expected to be completed by mid-2023.
Comments
The Bankstown- Fairfield Council NSW area has same population as whole of Tasmania and does not recieve 1/10 of the support as they do in Tassy. Would be great to support per capita.