$25m facility for aged and disadvantaged men

A Western Australian provider of services for elderly and disadvantaged people will develop a state-of-the-art hostel in East Perth offering a unique combination of care and support for older, disadvantaged and homeless men.

St Bartholomew’s House plans to construct a new and significantly expanded aged care and crisis centre with almost $25 million in funding from the Commonwealth and Western Australian governments.

This is the first time St Bartholomew’s has combined an aged care facility with a crisis centre for homeless and disadvantaged men on the one site.

The facility which is due to be completed in 2009 will consist of a 40-place aged care service, a 54-bed crisis and transitional hostel and 39 self-contained units.

It will replace St Bartholomew’s existing James Watson Hostel, which is due for a redevelopment.

The Australian Government has committed $7.33 million towards the project, while the state government will provide grants totalling $17.6 million along with the site for the new hostel at a peppercorn rent.

On her first official visit to the west, the Federal Minister for Ageing, Justine Elliot said the project was a good example of how the Commonwealth can work in partnership with the states.

“Social and economic disadvantage is still a reality, with older, frail people being particularly vulnerable. This new facility will mean that 133 vulnerable men will have a safe and comfortable place to stay,” she said.

“Developing a new facility in Perth is a positive step forward and will give frail-aged and disadvantaged people the quality of care and emotional support they deserve.”

The project was begun under the former Howard Government.