On-site medical, dental, gym, library, free wi-fi for homeless in $47m Ozanam House revamp

Melbourne’s homeless people will have access to a wealth of services and stunning city views following a $47 million redevelopment at what’s been dubbed a world-leading refuge.

Garry Liakoureas takes in the view at the new Ozanam House in North Melbourne. Picture: Ian Currie

Vulnerable people will have access to medical, dental and even acupuncture services at what’s been dubbed a global state-of-the-art homelessness refuge.

The $47 million redevelopment of North Melbourne’s Ozanam House has capacity for 134 people in individual units with en suites.

The 10-level hotel-style development also includes three floors of short-term crisis housing, and a hub and resource centre to support 250 people a day with services such as dentistry, nursing, GP, podiatry, acupuncture, optometry, physiotherapy and alcohol and drug intervention.

A tech centre will allow homeless visitors to recharge phones, use free wi-fi and computers, get meals, showers and use a gym, library, laundry and get financial advice.

Garry Liakoureas, who was a client in the old Ozanam House building, is pictured at the new building in Flemington Road. Picture: Ian Currie

The VincentCare facility got $10 million from the state government and also received funding from the Lord Mayor’s Charitable Foundation.

Launching the revamped centre, Housing Minister Richard Wynne said the previous Ozanam House facility had been a “difficult” place in which to provide services.

“We want to ensure that projects like this are really the benchmark for the future,” he said.

“It’s not just about the housing, it’s about the wraparound services that are provided here on site.”

The new centre — the biggest homelessness facility in Australia — will for the first time be open to women and LGBTIQ people.

Garry Liakoureas enjoys the surroundings. Picture: Ian Currie

Garry Liakoureas, 51, lived in the old facility after becoming homeless amid financial and personal issues.

“We can all become homeless through bad luck, it could be mental health, it could be substance abuse, it could financial issues, or physical abuse,” he said.

“If you don’t have something like this where do you go?”

Victorian Planning Minister Richard Wynne. Picture: AAP Image/Wayne Taylor

Melbourne Lord Mayor Sally Capp. Picture: Lawrence Pinder

Lord Mayor Sally Capp said it would be vital for people who found themselves living on the streets.

“We find a lot of our rough sleepers are in and out of accommodation because they can’t actually create those connections or access the services that will completely change the trajectory of their life,” she said.

“This is what this centre is about.”

VincentCare chief executive Quinn Pawson said: “The benchmark for us is, would we want to live here?”

“If we can answer yes to that question, we think we’ve got it about right.”

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Three floors of the centre will be medium-term housing for 50 people overcoming addiction and mental health issues, while another three levels will have 24 independent living units for over-55s escaping chronic homelessness.

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@JMasanauskas