ROMA HOUSE - INNER CITY HOMELESS FACILITY OPENED TODAY
Published Wednesday, 22 November, 2006 at 12:06 PM
JOINT STATEMENT
Premier and Minister for Trade
The Honourable Peter Beattie
Minister for Communities, Disability Services, Seniors and Youth
The Honourable Warren Pitt
Minister for Public Works, Housing and Information and Communication Technology
The Honourable Robert Schwarten
Premier Peter Beattie officially opened a new inner-city facility in Spring Hill today to provide accommodation and support for the homeless in Brisbane.
Mr Beattie said completion of the $5 million upgrade of Roma House meant shelter to Brisbane’s most vulnerable.
“The right to safe and secure shelter is something many Queenslanders take for granted,” Mr Beattie said.
“This landmark project is part of the Queensland Government’s efforts to combat homelessness under the four-year, $235 million Responding to Homelessness initiative.
“Roma House has been converted from an historic former nurses’ quarters into short-term, supported accommodation for up to 39 people.
“Open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, Roma House will provide support for those sleeping rough, who may have been excluded from existing housing services,” he said.
“The purpose of Roma House is to meet the immediate needs of people experiencing homelessness, to stabilise them, and then to support them individually in the move to transitional, and ultimately, longer-term housing.”
Minister for Public Works, Housing and Information and Communication Technology Robert Schwarten said the upgraded facility boasted modern facilities.
“Roma House consists of a communal dining room, industrial kitchen, communal laundry, a full-time clinic, male and female dormitories, a family area and rooms for Roma House staff,” Mr Schwarten said.
“The Beattie Government, through projects such as Roma House, is committed to breaking that cycle of homelessness and reinstating the fundamental right of a safe and secure shelter for all Queenslanders,” he said.
Minister for Communities Warren Pitt said Mission Australia would manage the facility, which will receive operational funding from the Department of Communities and will begin receiving clients on 27 November.
“Supported accommodation will be offered to individuals for up to three months including linking them with services, the provision of medical care and assistance with living skills,” he said.
“Clients will be supported through every stage of their transition to stable housing, with case managers working closely with other services to help clients move towards independent living.”
Mr Schwarten said with Roma House now completed, stages two and three of the Lady Bowen complex redevelopment will continue.
“Roma House was the first stage in the Government’s $30 million commitment to redevelop the heritage listed Lady Bowen complex,” Mr Schwarten said.
“One of Brisbane’s historic icons, the complex is named in honour of Lady Diamantina Roma Bowen, the wife of Queensland’s first Governor, Sir George Bowen.
“The other two buildings will be upgraded to include office space for housing organisations, bed-sits and transitional accomodation, and units of longer-term affordable housing.”
Mr Schwarten said during her eight years in Queensland, during her husband’s tenure as Governor, Lady Bowen organised and participated in many charitable and social activities, and is remembered for her self-discipline, conscientiousness and compassion.
“In keeping with this, the Lady Bowen Trust has also been established as a charitable trust, which will provide practical assistance on a case-by-case basis to clients of Roma House.
“The Trust aims to help people who are experiencing chronic homelessness to achieve genuine, positive and lasting lifestyle changes through targeted financial support.
“Funds generated through the Trust will help them in their efforts to stabilise their circumstances and transition to more secure forms of accommodation,” he said.
The Lady Bowen Trust was launched today at Roma House as part of the official proceedings, by Her Excellency the Governor of Queensland, Quentin Bryce, in her capacity as patron.
The Trust was established with joint funding of $3 million by the Department of Housing and the Residential Tenancies Authority but will operate independently of government, attracting tax deductible donations.
“It is hoped the Trust will attract donations from the people of Queensland, private business and other philanthropic sources,” Mr Schwarten said.
Media contact: Premier’s Office – (07) 3224 4500
Mr Schwarten’s office - (07) 3237 1832
Mr Pitt’s office - (07) 3235 4280
Mr Beattie said completion of the $5 million upgrade of Roma House meant shelter to Brisbane’s most vulnerable.
“The right to safe and secure shelter is something many Queenslanders take for granted,” Mr Beattie said.
“This landmark project is part of the Queensland Government’s efforts to combat homelessness under the four-year, $235 million Responding to Homelessness initiative.
“Roma House has been converted from an historic former nurses’ quarters into short-term, supported accommodation for up to 39 people.
“Open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, Roma House will provide support for those sleeping rough, who may have been excluded from existing housing services,” he said.
“The purpose of Roma House is to meet the immediate needs of people experiencing homelessness, to stabilise them, and then to support them individually in the move to transitional, and ultimately, longer-term housing.”
Minister for Public Works, Housing and Information and Communication Technology Robert Schwarten said the upgraded facility boasted modern facilities.
“Roma House consists of a communal dining room, industrial kitchen, communal laundry, a full-time clinic, male and female dormitories, a family area and rooms for Roma House staff,” Mr Schwarten said.
“The Beattie Government, through projects such as Roma House, is committed to breaking that cycle of homelessness and reinstating the fundamental right of a safe and secure shelter for all Queenslanders,” he said.
Minister for Communities Warren Pitt said Mission Australia would manage the facility, which will receive operational funding from the Department of Communities and will begin receiving clients on 27 November.
“Supported accommodation will be offered to individuals for up to three months including linking them with services, the provision of medical care and assistance with living skills,” he said.
“Clients will be supported through every stage of their transition to stable housing, with case managers working closely with other services to help clients move towards independent living.”
Mr Schwarten said with Roma House now completed, stages two and three of the Lady Bowen complex redevelopment will continue.
“Roma House was the first stage in the Government’s $30 million commitment to redevelop the heritage listed Lady Bowen complex,” Mr Schwarten said.
“One of Brisbane’s historic icons, the complex is named in honour of Lady Diamantina Roma Bowen, the wife of Queensland’s first Governor, Sir George Bowen.
“The other two buildings will be upgraded to include office space for housing organisations, bed-sits and transitional accomodation, and units of longer-term affordable housing.”
Mr Schwarten said during her eight years in Queensland, during her husband’s tenure as Governor, Lady Bowen organised and participated in many charitable and social activities, and is remembered for her self-discipline, conscientiousness and compassion.
“In keeping with this, the Lady Bowen Trust has also been established as a charitable trust, which will provide practical assistance on a case-by-case basis to clients of Roma House.
“The Trust aims to help people who are experiencing chronic homelessness to achieve genuine, positive and lasting lifestyle changes through targeted financial support.
“Funds generated through the Trust will help them in their efforts to stabilise their circumstances and transition to more secure forms of accommodation,” he said.
The Lady Bowen Trust was launched today at Roma House as part of the official proceedings, by Her Excellency the Governor of Queensland, Quentin Bryce, in her capacity as patron.
The Trust was established with joint funding of $3 million by the Department of Housing and the Residential Tenancies Authority but will operate independently of government, attracting tax deductible donations.
“It is hoped the Trust will attract donations from the people of Queensland, private business and other philanthropic sources,” Mr Schwarten said.
Media contact: Premier’s Office – (07) 3224 4500
Mr Schwarten’s office - (07) 3237 1832
Mr Pitt’s office - (07) 3235 4280