27/07/05
A $5.2million complex to house homeless men will be built in Woodbridge in a unique joint venture between the State Government and the St Vincent de Paul Society.
Housing and Works Minister Francis Logan today announced the complex, to be known as Vincentian Village, would be built by Badge Constructions and be completed by October next year.
“This is a marvellous project that is essential in meeting the needs and growing demand of homeless men in the Midland area,” Mr Logan said.
The complex at the corner of Bayley and Harper streets will comprise 16 first-floor units and 12 ground-floor units, including five purpose-built mobility units.
There will also be a two-storey, three-bedroom caretaker’s residence, an administration block and a communal building, which will house a dining room, commercial kitchen, television lounge, games room and communal laundry.
The Minister said the site was previously home to Midland’s first hospital, known as Matron Baker’s Hospital, which opened in 1928. It became Vincentian House in 1986, providing support and accommodation for homeless people.
“But the building required significant repair and, in reality, was not worth restoring,” he said.
“The new facility will house 28 men, while the old facility could only accommodate 16. The men will also have their own self-contained units as opposed to the previous shared hostel accommodation, offering them much more privacy.”
Mr Logan said the Gallop Government was committed to improving the quality of services to all Western Australians, wherever they lived.
He said the complex would be another example of good, energy-efficient urban design.
The second-storey of the one-bedroom units would be designed as reverse masonry veneer to improve overall cost and energy efficiency. External materials and colours would be chosen to suit the surrounding environment and streetscape of other dwellings.
The Minister said a plaque would be erected at the front of the new complex to commemorate Midland’s first hospital.
The architectural consultant for the project is Robert Strzelecki of Oldfield Knott Architects.
Minister's office: 9222 8950
