Vinnies’ $750k to home counsellors
ST Vincent de Paul has outlaid $750,000 for a Southport property to establish a counselling centre for those at risk of homelessness.
The 405sq m property, at 11 Hicks St, hosts a 130sq m house from the late 1940s that has been converted to office use and has polished timber floors.
The purchase of the property settles on February 27, after which the charity will remodel the house with a view to opening the counselling centre in early April.
The property was placed on the market last year by businessman Richard Kim who, through company Ausinko, operates two Expresso carwash outlets on the Coast.
Bought in 2008 for $710,000, it has served as a venue for religious services and was released for sale with vacant possession.
St Vincent de Paul in October signed up to buy the property, subject to due diligence.
The deal, negotiated by Wayne Devenport, of Ray White Commercial Southport, became unconditional some days ago.
Shane Klintworth, executive officer for the Catholic Church’s south coast diocese, said the centre will host the charity’s Cornerstone Program, which aims to help those at risk of homelessness.
The Gold Coast has about 4000 homeless people and about 1400 sleep on the streets each night.
“Cornerstone is an early intervention program whose aim is to prevent at-risk people becoming homeless, traumatised and wandering the streets,” Mr Klintworth said.
“People working with the homeless say there is a real need to prevent homelessness happening.
“Prevention saves people from suffering the trauma associated with becoming homeless and represents a costeffective use of resources.
“The Hicks St property is a modest building and initially will house professional counsellors who will seek to find solutions for at-risk people.”
Mr Klintworth said St Vincent de Paul has plans to raise funds to enlarge the Hicks St building so as to provide a greater range of services.
“We expect the fundraising to take a couple of years and in the meantime we will work with architects and designers to formulate a design.”