St Margarets                                     ACNCChristos

Saint Margarets Safestart Shelter Village

A safe place to sleep

Overview

As a growing level of homelessness occurs in our community Saint Margarets endeavours to proactively help those women experiencing homelessness with practical, tangible and meaningful assistance.

Women who are homeless are among the most marginalised people in society. They are the most vulnerable of the venerable. Research has shown women who are homeless have a number of severe, interrelated problems which contribute to their homelessness and make recovery challenging.

42% of the WA’s homeless population are women resulting from domestic violence, lack of financial resources for various reasons or health issues, a large proportion being older women. The University of Western Australia estimate some 400 women sleep rough in WA in cars, tents, sleeping bags or abandoned buildings.

homestart image st b2

Solution

Establishing safety provides a firm foundation for recovery and the basis for all further support work. Saint Margarets will develop and operate a women’s homeless shelter village as a one stop shop to address homelessness by providing safe secure transitional accommodation, case management with ongoing counselling, substance abuse rehabilitation, mental wellbeing support, upskilling and employment facilitation, locating and assisting with permanent accommodation and running weekly Beyond Homelessness encounter groups focusing on financial budgeting and work related issues.

 

 
SAINT MARGARETS WAY FORWARD MODEL
 
 
The greatest epidemic today is not TB or leprosy, it is being unwanted, unloved and uncared for
Mother Teresa
 

 

  • Saint Margarets Village - (2022)homestart
  • Shelter for those without a home – 50 cottages
  • Safe, secure accommodation, community centre & clinic
  • 24/7 management & accommodation hotline
  • Platform to re-establish independent living
  • Ongoing guidance and mentoring
  • Christian Principles

 

 

 

 

 

Proposed Shelter Village

The design of the Village will take into consideration the overall objectives of the Foundation and awareness of the WA Government’s 10 Year Strategy on Homelessness ”All Paths Lead to a Home”.

The individual cottage settings will comprise of three accommodation wings around a central garden area with the fourth wing comprising Administration and Facilities forming a quadrangle.

The Village will comprise:

  • Private self-contained living units for 50 women (some with children)
  • Administration and Facilities block to enable staff and counsellors to deliver services
  • Common user area for villagers
  • Hub for external specialist service providers to directly meet with villagers
  • Staff comprising of Village Manager, Assistant, 2 Clerical, 2 Counsellors, Security, Cleaner, Handyperson, 14 Volunteers (2 per day) and 2 staff will be full time live in
  • Roof solar panels, below ground wastewater treatment and fire suppression systems

Plan diagram

Cottages will comprise:

  • 32 single 20 sq mts cottages with 8 sq mts veranda
  • 18 double 35 sq mts cottages with 10 sq mts veranda
  • Separate shower and toilet, sleeping area, lounge and kitchenette

cottages

Administration and Facilities block will comprise:

  • Office for Village Manager, open plan working area, community facilities area for villagers consisting lounge, library (with Wifi), Clinic, Chapel and quiet area
  • Area for staff and volunteers to hold meetings and meet visitors
  • Reception area and visitor seating
  • 3 separate offices for counsellors to ensure privacy for one on one counselling
  • Kitchen to provide paid dinners for villagers, seating for up to 30, operated by a commercial caterer

facilities admin

 

Greenhouse Gas Emissions
A 2020 study by the University of Melbourne shows that a tiny house may result in a 70% reduction in per capita Greenhouse Gas emissions over its life compared to a traditional Australian house. Additionally, the Village and Facilities will be powered by solar power.

Tiny House Graph

 

Commitment Agreement

  • When engaging with the Saint Margarets Women’s Shelter Village a Mutual Understanding Agreement is required in order to ensure successful transition to independent living.

   Saint Margarets Expectations:

  • Treat others with dignity, respecting their preferences and privacy
  • Accept responsibility for your actions and not engage in anti-social behaviour
  • Engage in opportunities that supports your transition to independent community living
  • Commit to an agreed plan and goals and work towards achieving your goals
  • Demonstrate commitment to achieving your goals

   Participants Expectations:

  • Be treated with dignity and accepted as an individual, receiving respectful support
  • Be friendly, approachable and clear communication that meets individual needs
  • Create opportunities to support transition to independent living
  • Create an agreed specific plan with goals and work towards achieving these
  • Provide safety and stability
  • Continue to encourage and motivate to aspire and achieve goals

 

Safe, Secure Transitional Accommodation