Media Release by The Hon Tanya Pibersek MP

Door of Hope Homelessness Facility for Launceston

Joint Media Release with:

  • Lin Thorp Mp, Tasmanian Minister for Human Services

Plans for a new homelessness facility in Launceston have been unveiled today.

The Federal , Tanya Plibersek and Tasmanian Environment Minister, Michelle O’Byrne said the Door of Hope homelessness facility will be built as part of the Nation Building Economic Stimulus Plan (NBESP) – Social Housing Initiative Stage Two funding.

“The Door of Hope project will receive more than $4 million in Rudd Government funding and will see a 20 unit facility constructed in an existing building owned by the Door of Hope Christian Church,” Ms Plibersek said.

“The NBESP funding for the capital works of the project will be complemented by recurrent funding under the National Partnership Agreement on Homelessness.”

Under the National Partnership Agreement on Homelessness, the Tasmanian Government has submitted an Implementation Plan that outlines how $18.9 million over four years will be spent.

Under this agreement Housing Tasmania will lease the Door of Hope homelessness facility and will advertise in the future for tenancy management and support services from the not-for-profit sector through a tender process.

The Door of Hope Christian Church will continue to own the property and the Government thanks them for the contribution they have made to helping us reduce the number of people sleeping rough.

Ms O’Byrne said the Door of Hope facility is one of five dedicated homelessness facilities to be built across the State under the Tasmanian Implementation Plan, with one in the North West and two each in the North and South.

“The Door of Hope project is quite unique as it is the only project approved under NBESP Stage Two that involves a not-for-profit organisation undertaking refurbishment works on an existing building,” Ms O’Byrne said.

“This facility will aide in the reduction of homelessness, specifically people whose circumstances have seen them sleeping rough, including families with children.

“The support outlined in the Tasmanian Implementation Plan is an important component in reducing the number of people sleeping rough and will help people who have experienced repeated episodes of homelessness.

“This project not only helps in addressing the need for crisis accommodation in the area but also reinvigorates a building that has been a large part of the local history in Launceston.”

The site of the homelessness facility is the old Coats Patons Textile Mill which operated from 1923 until 1997 and at its peak employed over 2000 workers in Launceston.

The Door of Hope purchased part of the property in 2001 and has already undertaken extensive renovations to some of the buildings and moved their operations there in 2003.

Across Stage One and Stage Two of the Nation Building Economic Stimulus Plan, a total of $125.5 million will be spent in Tasmania to construct 510 new homes.