Providing secure housing for older men at risk

Tasmanian Premier, Jeremy Rockliff, and Minister for State Development, Construction and Housing, Guy Barnett, visited on 4 May the site of 15 social housing units in Rokeby currently being built by St Joseph Affordable Homes (SJAH).

The units will house older men at risk of homelessness.

“It was a pleasure today to join Premier Jeremy Rockliff to visit the site of eight nearly completed social housing units at Rokeby that will provide much-needed housing for older men who are at risk of homelessness,” Minister Barnett said.

“These units, plus seven units of homelessness accommodation at the site, will help address a service gap in the provision of supported accommodation for older men. Three of the units will also be suitable for people with disability.

“The homes will be completed this month and managed by Hobart City Mission, which operates numerous housing and homelessness services in and around Hobart.”

St Joseph Affordable Homes, a social enterprise of Centacare Evolve Housing, employed 33 apprentices to work on the project.

“This is an important project for SJAH to partner with Hobart City Mission on the delivery of 15 much needed new social housing units for men to age in peace,” said CEO of SJAH, Ben Wilson.

“This is a cohort in need of secure, safe housing. The benefit of this complex is that it provides for 24/7 onsite carer support programs,” Mr Wilson added.

“To have this number of apprentices work on this project is a wonderful outcome providing a variety of opportunities to increase their skill sets and see a tangible asset being created for real purpose.”

The Tasmanian Government provided $2.4 million in funding for the new units, with another $1 million from Hobart City Mission. The units are expected to be completed by the end of this month.