St Joseph Affordable Homes to boost employment, housing in Tasmania

Employment opportunities for young Tasmanians will be boosted thanks to a new building and construction enterprise.

A NEW building and construction social enterprise will increase both employment opportunities and housing for Tasmanians.

Established under the Archdiocese of Hobart, St Joseph Affordable Homes is aimed at helping reduce housing stress experienced across the state through the construction of new and affordable housing.

It will also provide employment opportunities for young Tasmanians through apprenticeships in a range of construction areas, with regular intakes to take place annually to support the construction of more than 100 homes.

St Joseph chief executive Ben Wilson said CatholicCare Tasmania and CentaCare Evolve Housing had lead the way in delivering much needed social and affordable housing across the state.

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“St Joseph Affordable Homes will provide a further opportunity to enhance the outcomes achieved in this area whilst providing employment outcomes for a number of new apprentices looking to enter the residential construction sector,” he said.

Archbishop Julian Porteous said the new social enterprise was named after St Joseph, the foster father of Jesus Christ.

“St Joseph was a carpenter, and we’re trying to develop carpenters. Jesus himself would have learnt the trade of being a carpenter under his foster father, Joseph,” he said.

“One of the great contributions that our social service agency CatholicCare has made to Tasmania has been the development of affordable and social housing.

“Being able to provide for the needs of people who haven’t got homes or can’t afford to buy their own has been a true reflection of the mission of the Church.”