$1.4m Collie transitional housing project construction under way

Construction for transitional housing in Collie which could help more than 18 people a year find more permanent housing has officially begun. Ground work for the site where the three homes will be placed has started and the project is planned to be completed in early 2025 and have its first residents midway through the year. Each home will sit on a lot between 390sqm to 490sqm and include three bedrooms, one bathroom, a laundry, a kitchen and a combined living-dining area. The homes will also have a carport, an alfresco area and garden area. The project has attracted $1.4 million in funding from the State Government and will be managed by Accordwest which is hoping to expand its services to have a staff member in Collie more often. The idea behind the transitional housing is for those in need to live in the homes for up to six months while they looked for a permanent location. Housing Minister John Carey was at the site to turn the sod and said the project would provide respite for women and children especially. “This is particularly tailored as transitional housing, but particularly to women and children who are at risk of homelessness,” he said. “Accordwest is a deeply credible and respected provider, they came forward with this proposal, it is value for money but it’s also providing a critical service for a cohort that is in deep need.” Accordwest chief executive officer Evan Nunn said the transitional housing would help the service which is under strain. “The ones we can assist, the ones we’ve got the funding for, would potentially be able to be assisted within these properties without having to be put in to temporary accommodation elsewhere like in caravan parks or hotels, so that’s a great leverage opportunity,” he said. “But then there’s a lot of people that are coming to us we can’t assist because we don’t have the casework resources, so this will help us get some efficiency in our case workers and help a few more people.”