Veterans’ call to open up empty flats at RSL complex for homeless

Frustrated ex-service personnel have slammed the decision by a local RSL club to sell its vacant properties in Hawthorn while war veterans go homeless.

Empty and abandoned. The empty flats at Manningtree Rd, Hawthorn, owned by RSL Vasey Care.

More than 80 flats left vacant in an RSL accommodation complex in Hawthorn was a “shameful” waste and should be opened up for homeless war veterans, a group of ex-service personnel has claimed.

RSL Vasey Care is “decommissioning” for sale two converted houses, the organisation’s former headquarters and 83 units on two large sites in Manningtree St.

All buildings have recently been vacated.

The front property at 14 Manningtree Rd, Hawthorn, owned by RSL Vasey Care.

18 Manningtree Rd, Hawthorn, one of the front properties owned by RSL Vasey Care.

The closed building at 2 Manningtree Rd, Hawthorn, the former head office of RSL Vasey Care.

RSL Victoria Reform spokesman Dan Cairnes said many former diggers from recent conflicts were in need of a secure home and support services.

“This is a wasted asset that is not being used to its full potential and that is shameful,’’ Mr Cairnes, a former Army major, said.

“It’s disappointing that RSL Vasey care has not considered providing emergency accommodation, which unfortunately has become a growing requirement for the current generation of veterans.

“I would prefer to have a veteran in need housed in one of these apartments, rather than sleeping rough in a car or being put in a caravan.’’

Daniel Cairnes wants the RSL Vasey Care units put to use.

“The RSL is petrified of helping Iraq and Afghanistan veterans with accommodation because they don’t know how to interact with this demographic.’’

RSL Vasey Care operates independently to the RSL but has senior league members on its board.

The two sites are to be sold later this year.

RSL Vasey Care chief executive Janna Voloshin denied veterans had been left homeless while the units were vacant.

The common room at Manningtree Rd, Hawthorn, owned by RSL Vasey Care and now being used as a builders' temporary office.

Inside the empty flats at Manningtree Rd, Hawthorn, owned by RSL Vasey Care.

“This is not our experience as we still experience vacancies at our other homes. This means we are ready to place veterans who need housing.’’

Ms Voloshin said the organisation did not provide emergency homeless accommodation.

“But we do work closely with the RSL Vic and other referral agencies to place veterans and war widows in a home when we become aware of a need. So far this need is being well met.

“We are also regularly reviewing and improving our services to meet the changing needs of veterans, particularly younger ex-service personnel.’’

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Vasey RSL Care will use the sale of the two sites — 2 and 14-18 Manningtree Rd — to upgrade its other accommodation centres and to improve veteran services.

Most of the Manningtree precinct has heritage restrictions. The property at No. 2, which was the RSL Vasey Care’s office, was built in the late 19th century for the original Manningtree estate owner Henry Box.

The now closed front property at 2 Manningtree Rd, Hawthorn.

The land alone, estimated to be about 8000 sqm, would be worth several million dollars. A vacant block for sale in neighbouring Toorak about half the size has a price guide of about $40 million — or $10,000 a square metre.

Last month a report found that one in 10 of Sydney’s homeless community was a war veteran.

@IanRoyall