Construction work started last week on a new crisis accommodation facility in Mitcham, designed to support older women at risk of homelessness.
We have partnered with Mountview Uniting Church, Community Housing Ltd (CHL), Oak Building Group and the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) to build an eight-unit facility to support women facing homelessness to take control of their lives and transition into sustainable, safe and long-term housing.
“The numbers of women over 55 years of age requiring homelessness support are underestimated and under-reported,” Incoming Uniting Vic.Tas CEO, the Hon. Bronwyn Pike said.
“Mountview House will be a step toward helping address the need for older women’s crisis accommodation in Melbourne’s East.”
The homes will be located close to public transport and schools to ensure tenants maintain their links to local services and the community.
The Victorian Government is contributing more than $2.3 million to the facility’s development as part of its Accommodation for the Homelessness Phase 2 initiative.
The facility is nearly two decades in the making.
“The Mountview Uniting Church congregation had a vision to give back to their community by donating the Mountview House land,” Ms Pike said.
“Through partnering with Uniting Vic.Tas, CHL and Oak Building Group, and with support from the Victorian Government, the congregation’s vision is becoming a reality.
“We are committed to working with local service providers, DHHS and of course the Mountview Church congregation so that women at the Mountview facility have the support they need to get back on their feet,” Ms Pike added.
Construction is due to be completed in August 2020, with tenancies available in September 2020.
