Media Release by The Hon Jenny Macklin MP

Work to begin on homeless accommodation for Alice Springs

Joint Media Release with:

  • Karl Hampton MLA, NT Minister for Central Australia
    The Hon Warren Snowdon MP, Member for Lingiari

Work on a $7.3 million facility for homeless people and those at risk of homelessness will begin in Alice Springs next month.

The 28 unit transitional housing facility at Percy Court is part of the Nation Building Economic Stimulus Plan and is a key component of the $150 million Alice Springs Transformation Plan.

The Minister for Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs, Jenny Macklin, and the Northern Territory Minister for Central Australia, Karl Hampton, today announced that local company, Asbuild, had won the tender to build one, three and four bedroom units at Percy Court in Alice Springs.

“This facility will help relieve the pressure of overcrowding in town camps and reduce the number of people living rough across Alice Springs,” Ms Macklin said.

“We want to make sure these vulnerable people are given appropriate support and are equipped so that, in the future, they can move into other public housing facilities.

“Percy Court will help break the cycle of homelessness by providing options and services to meet people’s needs in Alice Springs.”

Percy Court will provide people with access to beds as well as a live-in manager, outdoor cooking facilities, playground and outdoor recreational areas.

Mr Hampton said this facility was part of a partnership between the Australian and Northern Territory Governments to improve the health and wellbeing for Indigenous people in town camps and across the Alice Springs community.

“It is important that more accommodation options are provided to help meet the needs of our town,” Mr Hampton said.

“We have also called for tenders for the refurbishment of The Lodge, on Bath Street, which will include the redevelopment of the building into a 35 bedroom facility for short-term managed accommodation for people coming to Alice Springs seeking medical treatment.”

The Lodge facility will also include outdoor shelters and space for art activities. The tender will close on 16 June 2010.

The Member for Lingiari, Warren Snowdon, said in addition to these facilities, the Salvation Army was constructing an additional eight rooms on their existing premises to provide additional managed accommodation for homeless men.

“This project is underway and due for completion by the end of the year,” Mr Snowdon said.