Housing All Australians Partners with Vinnies to Transform Hobart's Amelie House

Housing All Australians (HAA), and a range of others, have joined forces with the St Vincent de Paul Society (Vinnies) to see establishment of a new service, Amelie House, a transitional housing facility for women at risk of homelessness in Hobart. The project received a significant boost through a major furniture donation from Somerset on the Pier hotel, valued at approximately $500,000.

The former Bethlehem House will provide accommodation for up to 43 women, furnished almost entirely through Somerset's donation during their refurbishment. The comprehensive donation includes beds, kitchen equipment, furniture for communal areas, and office furnishings, resulting in substantial cost savings for the project.

"We know the scale of the housing crisis is too big for government to solve alone," said Dan McKenna, CEO of HAA. "Through engaging the private sector, we can deliver innovative solutions to Tasmania's housing crisis. We believe it's in Tasmania's long-term economic interest to house all its people, rich or poor."

The initiative demonstrates the growing commitment of businesses to address housing accessibility. The Ascott Limited, Australia – Somerset's owner and a HAA "compassionate capitalist" – has embraced this approach across their national portfolio.

“At Ascott Australia, we believe that it benefits us all to ensure that the most vulnerable among us can thrive. And we know that without secure housing for all, we cannot achieve gender equity,” said Anthea Dimitrakopoulos, General Manager Brand and ESG, The Ascott Limited, Australia.  “In providing nearly 50,000 nights of supported accommodation over the next three years, this initiative will be instrumental in creating better outcomes for vulnerable women in Tasmania. Our contribution is also well aligned with our commitment to reducing our impact on the environment.”

David Mansfield, Managing Director of Ascott Australasia, said “we are committed to serving the communities we operate in. Partnering with vital organisations such as Housing All Australians and the St Vincent de Paul Society Tasmania is just one way we can deliver on this commitment. We're passionate about making a meaningful difference in the lives of people who need it most and are immensely proud to have played a role in creating a safe and welcoming space at Amelie House."

St Vincent de Paul State President Corey McGrath emphasized the project's significance: "This partnership helps at-risk Tasmanian women access safe and comfortable transitional housing, providing an environment to work towards a more positive future while demonstrating the business sector's commitment to social responsibility."

Parliamentary Secretary for Housing and Planning, Simon Behrakis, said that our Government is tackling housing challenges head on, and we’ll continue to do all we can to support vulnerable Tasmanians.

“To respond to our housing challenges, we need to think outside the box, and we want to look at the options that might be available for the temporary use of vacant facilities that can still provide appropriate accommodation in the short-term.

“Identifying and using underutilised sites such as former Bethlehem House is one way in which we can tackle our housing challenges, and this program is a great example of collaboration within the sector.”

The initiative, supported by $1.2 million of operational funding from the Tasmanian Government, will be jointly managed by the St Vincent De Paul Society and Hobart City Mission. This collaborative approach between government, business, and social services represents a cost-effective solution to address housing insecurity while preventing the cycle of homelessness.

The project has garnered support from multiple partners, including:

• Dulux: Contributing paint for the facility
• MONA team: Providing project management expertise through HAA's Tasmanian State Management Committee
• The Neill Family's Select Foundation: Funding 18 self-contained accommodation pods and building upgrades

Additional Context:

The St Vincent De Paul Society and the Hobart City Mission (HCM) are partnering on a transitional housing program at the site of the former Bethlehem House in Hobart for up to 43 women experiencing – or who are at risk of – homelessness.

Vinnies and HCM will deliver a 'light touch' transitional housing program, leveraging their combined expertise and resources and working closely with Hobart Women’s Shelter.

The development takes advantage of the currently vacant facility while actively addressing the urgent need for crisis and transitional accommodation in the greater Hobart area.

It is seen as a cost-effective solution to the housing crisis in our region and an example of Government, the community sector and philanthropy coming together to find solutions.

Transitional housing and support services can prevent individuals from falling into the cycle of homelessness, ultimately saving taxpayer dollars in the long run.

The Society has owned and operated the site, formerly home to Bethlehem House, for more than 50 years, previously providing crisis and transitional accommodation to men.

The heritage building and its extensions, including the accommodation pods at the rear of the building, delivers up to an extra 43 bedrooms, with a kitchen, bathrooms and living areas.

While plans are in place to fully redevelop the site in the longer term, this cannot commence for several years.

Residents will enter an initial three-month agreement, for all transitional participants, with a night-by-night arrangement for any crisis accommodation.

The program will draw upon existing resources of HCM and Vinnies to deliver individual case management. This includes access to HCM’s Day Safe Space, HCM’s Housing Connect team and HCM’s Mountain View team, plus support from the Vinnies team at this centrally located site which has proven valuable for its proximity to services and supports for over fifty years.