Property Industry Foundation has once again pulled together a sensational group of consultants and builders to deliver pro bono services to build a 10-bedroom accommodation centre for Melbourne City Mission (MCM) in Wyndham, Victoria.
Hacer is the lead builder on the project, supported by a group of consultants including Turner & Townsend Thinc, Group GSA, Tract Consultants, PLP Building Surveyors, Morris Goding Access Consulting, Rider Levett Bucknall, Nationwide, Irwin, WSP, and Maddocks.
On Friday 7 February, the project was launched by a sod turning, which was attended by the Member for Werribee, The Hon. Tim Pallas MP.
MCM will operate the centre which will provide hundreds of young people-at-risk with a chance to grow into adult independence thanks to accommodation and a level of support that they currently may not have. Along with 10 new bedrooms, the centre will offer a range of multidisciplinary supports including health, counselling and legal services all under one roof, 24-hours and seven days a week.
It’s a perfect fit for both MCM’s mission and ours.
MCM is the largest youth homeless service provider in Victoria and has a well-established reputation in the sector for tackling the root causes of homelessness and working toward supporting young people out of homelessness and into adult independence. This is the second time that the Property Industry Foundation and MCM have worked together after the opening of MCM’s Frontyard Youth Services on King Street, where PIF contributed $1.5 million to the 18-bedroom crisis centre.
“Without appropriate interventions, young people can become further entrenched in long-term homelessness and disadvantage,” said MCM Chief Executive Officer, Vicki Sutton.
“Through no fault of their own, many of the young people are experiencing trauma such as family breakdown, or neglect, which we know has long-lasting effects on physical and mental health.”
“MCM recognises the impact trauma has on young people, and as an organisation we seek to address the underlying causes and effects of trauma that are intrinsically linked to a young person’s experience of homelessness,” Ms Sutton said.
None of this, of course, is possible without the generous support of the property industry. Property Industry Foundation CEO, Kate Mills said, “We’re proud to see the property industry rallying around this crucial project.”
“The Foundation is on a mission to create 125 extra bedrooms for youth homelessness services between 2017 and 2021. Working with partners, such as MCM, we have already built 62 bedrooms. This year, we expect to build more than 40 bedrooms across VIC, NSW and QLD.”
The Wyndham Centre is also supported by a $3.5 million investment from the Victorian Government.
On the 2016 Census night, 730 people in the City of Wyndham identified as homeless. Over half were aged between 12-24 years old. This is an increase of 76% in the last five years.
