Vinnies to run new CBD homelessness service
Vinnies WA will manage a new supported accommodation service for people sleeping rough and experiencing homelessness in the Perth metropolitan area, the State Government has announced.
The service will be housed within the former Murray Hotel at 718 Murray Street, West Perth. The 1,293 square metre inside lot was purchased by the Department of Communities (Communities) for $5.15 million in January this year.
Over the past five months, the former Murray Hotel has undergone major refurbishments and compliance works, including removal of a swimming pool, and works are nearing completion. The works have been undertaken by Kardan Construction, a Supply Nation certified Aboriginal business.
The new service will provide 30 rooms - 25 for singles and five for couples – that feature individual ensuite bathrooms, as part of a Housing First supported accommodation model. The facility also includes an onsite kitchen, shared laundry room, and internal and external common areas.
To meet the complex needs of vulnerable people, and to ensure the safety and wellbeing of staff and residents, the intake of all residents will be managed through a coordination group led by Communities in partnership with the WA Alliance to End Homelessness.
“This service will offer a hand up to some of the most marginalised, disadvantaged and vulnerable people in our community,” Vinnies Acting CEO Ann Curran said.
‘What’s really important about this model is that prior to becoming a tenant, individuals will be assigned specialist case workers, who will link individuals to support services to help them address the complex needs they have,” she added.
Housing Minister John Carey acknowledged Vinnies’ proven track record in providing homelessness services to the WA community.
"Vinnies has proven success in operating low threshold services like Tom Fisher House in Perth, which is an intensive intervention night service for people experiencing long term homelessness with complex needs,” he said.
The first tenants are expected to move into the Murray Street service within the next quarter.
*Passages Youth Engagement Hubs are delivered in partnership with the Rotary Club of Perth and Mandurah.
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