Proposal to turn ex-Bethlehem House site into women’s housing, philanthropist chips in $1 million
A golden opportunity to help women in need is lying in wait at the empty former Bethlehem House men’s shelter in Warwick Street, says one of Tasmania’s wealthiest philanthropists.
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A golden opportunity to help women in need is lying in wait at the empty former Bethlehem House site in Warwick Street, according to one of Tasmania’s richest men.
The heritage building, owned by St Vincent de Paul, and the 18 accommodation pods at the rear of the building, now owned by philanthropist Bruce Neill, have been empty since November 2023 when the male residents were moved to a new Harrington Street site.
Mr Neill spent half a million dollars buying the pods, to ensure they were kept on-site and not transported out of Tasmania, after Bethlehem House moved.
He has now also promised a further $500,000 to help renovate the main heritage building, so both parts of the site can be used to help women experiencing homelessness.
The project would be run in a partnership between the St Vincent de Paul Society and Hobart City Mission, with a “light touch” transitional housing program for up to 40 women.
The two charities say the annual operating cost is expected to be about $1.2 million – and have implored Tasmania’s next government to get on board.
“In addition to providing much-needed support for women experiencing homelessness, this program offers a cost-effective solution to the housing crisis in our region,” St Vincent chief executive officer Heather Kent said.
“With a budget of $1.2 million per annum, this light-touch model represents a prudent investment in the wellbeing of our community.”
She said the program would help prevent women from falling into the cycle of homelessness, with the demand for social and affordable housing in Tasmania outweighing the resources available.
Ms Kent said the heritage building and its extensions, plus the pods at the rear, provided up to 43 bedrooms with a kitchen, bathrooms and living areas.
She said while there were plans to redevelop the Warwick Street site in the longer term, this couldn’t start until 2017.
“We don’t wish to see the site unused in the meantime, particularly in a housing crisis where too many women are seeking a home that is safe and secure as they rebuild their lives,” Ms Kent said.
Harvey Lennon, Hobart City Mission chief executive officer, Harvey Lennon, said women would enter an initial three-month accommodation agreement, followed by rolling six-month leases.
The program would also offer a night-by-night arrangement for crisis accommodation.
The former Bethlehem House heritage site at 56 Warwick Street has been owned by St Vincent de Paul since 1972, and provided accommodation to homeless men for 50 years.
The new $30 million location, at the site of the former Waratah Hotel, opened last year and can accommodate up to 74 men.
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