A new $24.9 million project to transform City of Melbourne-owned buildings into specialist homeless accommodation in the CBD is nearing opening.
The building at 602 Little Bourke Street will offer 50 studio apartments for short-term accommodation of up to 12 months with on-site support.
Unison Housing is moving ahead with the Make Room project, with the first completion featuring a bedroom, kitchenette and en-suite bathroom scheduled for May 20 in collaboration with the council ahead of the building's grand opening in August. The studio was opened to the public.
The City Council committed $16.1 million to the project, and the province committed $4.8 million over two years for on-site support and professional tenant management.
A range of major charities and corporate partners are also providing funding, including the Helen Macpherson Smith Trust, which will contribute an additional $500,000 to the project, bringing the total donation to $720,000. It promises to be a dollar.
The project will revitalize the six-story brick building, which was built in 1952, and will also include a new rooftop garden, common areas, indigenous plants and artwork.
Mayor Sally Capp, who witnessed the opening of the completed studio, said she was proud of the life-saving project.
“Everyone has the right to access safe and secure housing and support services, and we are doing everything we can to break the cycle of homelessness,” Cr Capp said.
Mayor Sally Capp tours the completed studios of the Make Room project in the CBD. Photo: Hanna Komisarova.
Unison Housing CEO James King said the project was an opportunity to make a meaningful difference amid the current housing crisis.
“Make Room embodies the power of collaboration between community housing organizations, local and state governments, philanthropic organizations and the private sector,” he said.
In partnership with cohealth, Make Room goes beyond providing shelter to guide the city's most vulnerable people towards safe long-term housing and a brighter future.
Housing Minister Harriet Singh said the partnership would ensure the government's investment “can go even further” and “underlines the importance of collaboration in tackling homelessness”.
Debra Morgan, CEO of the Helen McPherson Smith Trust, praised the leadership and caring approach of the council and Unison Housing in tackling homelessness.
“The Helen MacPherson Smith Trust is delighted to support this partnership, which will not only provide housing but also ongoing support to the most vulnerable members of our community,” she said.
Cohealth provides comprehensive social and health support services on-site, including mental health, housing, and legal support, as well as dental, women's health, and podiatry.
Nicole Bartolomeusch, CEO of CoHealth, said her company's services transform lives “and not just a roof and four walls,” because “homeless people face the serious consequences of long-term homelessness.” “They need support to deal with the serious health impacts.”
Dr Olivia Ball, lead councilor for the city's health, wellbeing and belonging portfolio, said everyone had the right to a safe place to call home.
“Cohealth does important work every day to improve the lives of people across the city of Melbourne, and we are delighted to be expanding our partnership to support residents on the ground at Make Room,” she said.
Individuals and organizations are encouraged to pledge support to Make Room through the Lord Mayor Charitable Foundation.
