Since 1953, Vincent Care’s flagship social housing facility Ozanam House has been an important part of Melbourne’s response to homelessness, providing support to vulnerable people in the community. The redevelopment by MGS Architects has transformed the building into an integrated homeless resource centre and accommodation facility that also offers health and wellbeing services, all on one site.
The thoughtful design emphasises Vincent Care’s innovative and human-centric care model through a series of connected ‘neighbourhoods’ inside the building. The 11-storey tower accommodates 134 apartments on the upper levels, as well as administration spaces, a resource centre, health clinic, gym and library facilities, and a commercial kitchen serving both the Ozanam House residents and the wider community.
Heagney sharing the load of a busy summer for St Vinnies. He said the society delivers 15 to 20 food parcels a week, and they are at their busiest before Christmas. They give 700 to 800 parcels to people in need during the year. If people want help they can call the St Vincent De Paul store or go to the parish office. Mike and I hit the road for a run of furniture collecting from around the city. We pick up a chest of drawers from Keenan’s generous neighbour, a lounge suite and then some children’s chairs. None of the lifting is too arduous, including the set of chairs and couches, even for someone who spends their days on the end of a keyboard and notebook.
TEMPERS flared on the subject of homelessness at last week s Budget Meeting of Wexford County Council. The subject arose when the proposed budget showed an apparent decrease in funding of just over €22,000 on last year s allocation to administration of homeless services.
Sinn Féin councillor Tom Forde said that this was a source of great concern at a time when we re in the middle of a housing crisis . The situation is not getting any better, he said. I don t see how we can justify a drop in this area.
Head of Finance Annette O Neill said that the budget would see no reduction of the current homeless services provided by the council and essentially it was being maintained at the same level.
The poignant and heartfelt message below penned to the Society of St Vincent de Paul is testament to just how much their help can mean to a struggling family, and the very real difference it can make to the lives of so many people. WE were really struggling but found it difficult to ask for help - I suppose we were embarrassed to find ourselves in this situation. Eventually we approached St Vincent de Paul and they covered the cost of oil for our home. The simple thing of having a warm house means so much. The extra money it gave us allowed us to buy nice presents for a change, and we had enough for a special Christmas dinner.