12.12.2019Lord Mayor’s Charitable Foundation and VincentCare

The redevelopment of Homeless Resource Centre, which opened in July 2019, is the first of its kind in Victoria, enabling VincentCare to more effectively respond to adults who have experienced homelessness and ongoing financial and social disadvantage.

Partnerships across community, government, business and philanthropy helped develop this innovative service platform that provides a range of accommodation, crisis and care services to people experiencing homelessness.

“This project has been five years in the making and we are extremely proud to be the drivers behind such a major investment in homelessness support,” said VincentCare Chief Executive Quinn Pawson.

This project has increased the supply of affordable housing at Ozanam House to include crisis accommodation (63 apartments), transitional accommodation for men and women who are recovering from a period of homelessness (41 apartments) and long-term independent living units for men and women aged over 50 who have experienced homelessness (26 apartments).

It is expected that the Homeless Hub and Resource Centre, which offers health services, access to technology, meals, showers, a gym, library, laundry, physical and cloud storage, as well as financial advice, will support 250 people a day.

The initial grant from Lord Mayor’s Charitable Foundation assisted VincentCare to pursue additional funding from government and philanthropic organisations, totalling $47 million.

The Foundation’s Chief Executive Officer, Catherine Brown said, “We are pleased to support VincentCare Victoria for the redevelopment of Ozanam House, which provides accommodation for older men and women who are homeless in the inner-city suburbs of Melbourne. VincentCare has demonstrated a creative approach to the service, building design and financing of this project.”

“Our support has helped VincentCare leverage other support, including funds from the Victorian Government, and we congratulate VincentCare on the opening of this wonderful accommodation and service facility.”

Victoria’s Minister for Housing, Richard Wynne, who was present at Ozanam House’s re-opening, said “This game-changing new facility is not just housing people – it’s helping them resolve the complex problems that led them to homelessness, in an environment where they can heal and rebuild their lives.”

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