A supported housing complex for homeless and at-risk Canberrans is on track for completion by the end of the year despite wet weather delaying construction.
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The 40-unit Common Ground facility being built south of the Gungahlin Town Centre is well under way, while extra funding has secured the provision of a number of health services for incoming tenants.
Once completed, the three-storey, 40-unit supported housing complex will provide homeless and at-risk singles and couples with affordable housing and on-site support to address the causes of social disadvantage.
Board chairman Stephen Bartos said builders had dug out and installed the basement, completed the first floor slab and had begun building the above-ground levels.
“Weather has been interrupting work, however, the building is going up,” he said.
The ACT government has committed an extra $156,000 to Canberra’s first Common Ground project. The figure will increase to $321,000 in the 2015-16 financial year and fund the provision of support and assistance for tenants to improve their health and help them live independently.
Mr Bartos said services would be specifically determined once the tenants had been selected and moved in to ensure their needs were met.
“There will be things like counselling, health services, nurses … exactly what the mix is going to be depends on the needs of the tenants,” he said.
“People who are homeless often have several health problems and social problems. Everyone will be treated as individuals with their own particular needs.”
The budget commitment will also fund educational and skills-based programs such as cooking programs.
“We already have volunteers from some of the banks helping residents with financial management,’’ he said.
“In particular, when we’re up and running, [we’re looking for] assistance with things like some of the amenities people need like electrical and white goods. We are already in discussions with potential sponsors.”
A push for a Common Ground facility has been under way for years in the territory and has received significant public and private backing.
The ACT government, with federal government support, previously committed $17million to the project.
The Snow Foundation has contributed $500,000 to the facility, with community donations also made.
Once completed the organisation hopes to expand the project to other areas. However, opening the debut Gungahlin complex was the focus at this stage.
“Canberra still has a very acute problem with homelessness. Although Common Ground is important in terms of working towards the problem it’s only a start,” Mr Bartos said.