Construction has begun on a $16.7 million social housing complex in Hobart, aimed at supporting vulnerable women aged 55 and over experiencing or at risk of homelessness.
The five-storey development on Argyle Street, formerly the site of a St Vincent de Paul op-shop, will provide 38 apartments once complete.
The project faced initial delays after the Hobart City Council rejected the original plans due to height concerns, requiring design modifications before final approval.
St Vincent de Paul Society Housing Australia CEO Graham West said the project will play a role in addressing Hobart’s homelessness crisis when it opens in 18 months.
“Having somewhere safe and secure to live is transformational,” he said.
“Having somewhere that they can call their own, somewhere to keep their goods, somewhere that they know they’re not going to be attacked at night, that safe security allows them to change their whole life.”
“We’ve seen people go on and have amazing careers, get into education, be an active part of the community, all things that they would never have done without the opportunity.”
Federal Member for Franklin Julie Collins said the federal government contributed $13 million through its social housing accelerator program.
“I was incredibly disappointed when this project was initially knocked back and have advocated to ensure these homes get off the ground and go to the women who need them most,” she said.
“This is critical housing for Tasmanians and I am so proud to see the first sod being turned today.”
Parliamentary Secretary for Housing and Planning and former councillor Simon Behrakis said the refusal passed by his ex-colleagues showed the need for change.
“It was a very familiar story to me and it’s just another example of why planning reforms, which this government is committed to, are so important to make sure that projects like this aren’t unnecessarily delayed,” Behrakis said.
“A delay of a year can be the difference between a project happening or a project not happening because it’s no longer commercially feasible.”
