Life beyond Safe Space for needy
PETER* has moved to the Safe Space homeless program’s next phase — a lesstalked-about service that has given him back his independence and strengthened quality time with his daughter.
Peter, who has chosen to keep his real name quiet, was homeless in his youth and has found himself in the same situation at 24.
“I had to leave my job unfortunately and ended up staying with my mates and was going to move to a place in Lewisham,” he said.
“That all fell through because of bad circumstances and I ended up staying with some other friends in Glenorchy, but then I had to leave there and ended up at Safe Space.”
Hobart City Mission’s Safe Space had been operating out of YouthARC and the charity’s Hobart offices as a space for homeless people to sleep, eat and access vital services.
The program has finally found a permanent home at the former Congregational Church at 47 Davey St, but less is known about the charity’s Mountain View program that often follows Safe Space as a pathway for people seeking stable housing.
The site has accommodated 45 people since it started in October last year at the former Balmoral Inn at Goodwood.
Seven have moved on to more permanent housing, and 50 per cent have come from Safe Space, while about 30 per cent identify as Aboriginal.
Peter said Safe Space helped him access a social worker on site and other helpful services, but he still had to go elsewhere for showers and some services.
Peter was referred to Mountain View through his “amazing” Anglicare worker.
“So far Mountain View has been pretty awesome,” he said.
“We’ve got our own little rooms with ensuites, cupboards,
everything’s furnished and ready to go.
“The meals, they’re actually pretty wicked. The staff, they’re always there to help you, and you’ve actually got your own independence, you can set your room up however you want.”
Peter said it was a relief to be able to bring his six-yearold daughter somewhere safe when they are together.
He said the next step was finding accommodation where his daughter could stay overnight, getting his driver’s licence, and getting back into work as a mechanic.
Mountain View program leader Erik Hamor said the
tenants had “created a community”.
“We’ve made positive moves of people being able to achieve their goal and move forward, and I think that has a huge flow-on effect,” he said.
“You hear people say ‘if they can do it, so can I’.”
The site is owned by HCM, with the program operating on a 30-year lease and funding from the charity.
More information hobartcitymission.org.au/ category/mountain-view
* Peter’s name has been changed to protect his identity.