Samaritan House goes sustainable in expansion

A NEW model of environmentally sustainable housing for men experiencing homelessness has just opened in Geelong.

On Friday last week, Minister for Regional Development Mary-Anne Thomas and Geelong MP Christine Couzens visited the expansion of Moolap’s Samaritan House.

Samaritan House helps men sleeping rough or homeless in the Greater Geelong region by providing accommodation, an evening meal and ongoing support services.

The construction of seven new one-bedroom, prefabricated independent living units at the site will increase Samaritan House’s capacity by 50 per cent, enabling the service to support more men reaching out for help.

The units are designed to offer independent living for three to six months, with affordable rent to help men transition to longer-term social housing.

Local manufacturer FormFlow designed and installed the units from an innovative and sustainable prototype, working in partnership with Deakin University’s School of Architecture and the Built Environment.

The design reduces the impact on the environment by using off-site construction, natural ventilation, solar energy and water tanks, and native landscaping reduces irrigation needs.

The collaboration has enabled students undertaking apprenticeships in horticulture and landscaping at Gordon TAFE to gain practical experience working on site.

“What you see before you today is the result of a remarkable collaboration, a powerful example of what Geelong can do at its finest in seeking to support some of the most vulnerable and disadvantaged members of our community,” Samaritan House chair Keith Fagg said.

“These seven independent living units are very much the next iteration of what Samaritan House seeks to do in working with homeless men.

He said a shared laundry as well as a communal gathering space would soon be completed at the site, and particularly thanked Samaritan House board member Brian Sherwell for his oversight of the project.

The project was been supported by a $500,000 grant from the Victorian Government.

“Samaritan House is giving some of the most vulnerable Victorians a roof over their head, helping them transition to a more stable future,” Ms Thomas said.

“This funding is critical and will provide an increased level of support and assistance to those who need it most.”