Homeless accommodation opens at Shorewell Park in Burnie for older people

With the risk of homelessness on the rise for the demographic, a new crisis accommodation facility has opened up to tackle the problem. The four things making the cohort vulnerable >>

Supported Affordable Accommodation Trust chair Bob Gordon, Labor Senator Anne Urquhart, Liberal Montgomery MLC Leonie Hiscutt and Family Based Care CEO Doug Doherty. Picture: Supplied.

A new shelter has been opened specifically for a demographic experiencing a rise in homeless people.

In collaboration with Family Based Care Tasmania, the Supported Affordable Accommodation Trust (SAA Trust) has unveiled an independent living facility at Shorewell Park in Burnie for six older people at risk of homelessness.

SAA Trust chair Bob Gordon said that older people are vulnerable to homelessness because of reasons such as the death of a partner, lack of acquired financial assets, divorce, and abuse.

“It’s an unacceptable situation in a country such as Australia,” Mr Gordon said.

“Since its inception, the trust has been committed to providing homes for vulnerable people.

“Until now, our focus has been supported accommodation for people with a disability.

Grand opening attendees checking out the new crisis accommodation for older people that opened in Burnie. Picture: Supplied.

“This new project extends our reach beyond people with a disability to other vulnerable Australians.”

Mr Gordon said another six homes were being built next door to the new facility to accommodate more older people at risk of sleeping rough.

“This project illustrates what can be done, but the SAA Trust’s resources are finite, and

we would implore all three levels of government to either support us or implement their

own programs for providing homes for vulnerable Australians.”

“The design provides an optimal blend of independent living and communal living with spaces to provide required support services in a six-star energy-rated building that is easy to access, clean and cost-efficient.”

Mr Gordon thanked the Burnie City Council for making the purchase of the site possible.

“If more councils could look at releasing excess public spaces for this purpose, it would go a long way to meeting the shortage in available, affordable housing.

“The SAA Trust would love to continue building on this site and others, but desperately

require further funding to continue our building program – ideally through a government

grant.”

Family Based Care Tasmania CEO Doug Doherty said many older people in the North-West were at risk of homelessness.

“In Shelter Tasmania’s most recent report, it was revealed that the third largest group of

people experiencing homelessness were over 54,” Mr Doherty said.

“Older women are more highly represented in this cohort than men.”

Mr Doherty said his organisation had a long history of helping the homeless in the North-West.

“However, we felt we needed to do more, that’s why we asked the SAA Trust to build this particular mix of four single units along with a two-bedroom unit for Tasmanians over 65 and at risk of homelessness in the one building with options to interact and share resources as well as access support as required.”