Salvos Housing launched in ACT
(L-R) Ms Joy Burch MLA (ACT Minister for Community Services and Member for Bindabella), James Condon, Commissioners Astrid and Alistair Herring, Zonal International Secretaries. (Photo: Captain Dale Murray)
The Salvation Army has become a community-housing provider, launching ‘Salvos Housing’ in the ACT to provide low-cost housing to people in need.
The launch took place at the Narrabundah Social Housing Complex in Canberra – a joint venture between The Salvation Army and the ACT Government comprising of 23 units and a community room. It was attended by ACT Government dignitaries, Salvation Army Representativesdignitaries.
Commissioner James Condon spoke of the true meaning of ‘shelter’, quoting from Psalm 91, “He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.”
“Salvos Housing was founded to further address the issue of homelessness and housing stress,” says Commissioner James Condon.
The Narrabundah Social Housing Complex. (Photo: Captain Dale Murray)
Residents of the complex in Narrabundah live independently but have access to a Salvation Army representative, who is also a resident, who offers support and referral to other Salvation Army services if needed.
Residents at the launch spoke to dignitaries and guests about the positive impact living at The Salvation Army complex has had on their lives – one woman testifying that she no longer lives in fear after relocating from a larger public housing complex. “This woman said that The Salvation Army saved her life,” says Major Julie Alley, Second in Command, ACT & South NSW Division.
“This is just one of the stories… This is the kind of housing that we want to see – we want these homes to change people’s lives.”
The Salvation Army has recognised the need for affordable, safe housing and is in the process of registering Salvos Housing in NSW with a view to potentially building more community housing complexes.
“We have a very long history of providing housing to people in need,” says Salvos Housing Secretary, Major Cecil Woodward. “Salvos Housing has been created to manage the properties that are part of that process.”
Comments
I visited the complex in Canberra and it is beautiful well built and of good quality.. congratulations Salvos you did a great job... keep on