Transitional Veterans Shelter to Social Inclusion
Tuesday, October 27, 2015 11:16 am
There is a need for assistance to help homeless ex-servicemen off the streets and back into maintainable long term accommodation and employment.
Digs4Diggers is being established to deliver short term and emergency accommodation in partnership with personal development services to help homeless ex-servicemen off the streets, and back into maintainable long term accommodation and employment; and also for veterans to become self-sufficient again.
There is a distinct lack of dedicated service providers for this sector of homeless veterans in Brisbane, and Digs4Diggers plans to develop a resource that will work with like-minded organisations like Trans-Civ, Stone Pillow, various RSL’s and other interested parties.
A 2009 report found there were some 3000 homeless veterans across the country on any given night. Other estimates suggest that is optimistic.
The Project
Digs4Diggers is proposing the establishment of a 15 room boarding house with sublet businesses to help subsidise the cost.
Veterans will be provided a maximum of 9 months accommodation during which time they will undergo a compulsory Transitional Program to ensure sustainable outcomes for the future.
The Transitional program includes:
- Health Resilience & Mental Wellbeing (1 Month)
- Vocational Enhancement (4 Months)
- Career Coaching Program - Transition to Employment (3 Months)
- Digs 4 Diggers Program Review (1 Month)
Digs4Diggers will provide 2 emergency housing rooms and will work with its partners to provide these on a short term basis.
Homeless veterans will contribute a heavily subsidised $ 95 per week for the room, amenities and transitional program.
The premises will host 2 x businesses, a hairdresser, and a coffee shop who will help subsidise ongoing costs. The lessee’s of these businesses will carry out any refurbishment required at their expense.
Budget & Timetable
Due to the availability of a unique resource there is a short time frame to roll out the plan for Digs4Diggers and establish the housing options.
Specifically, the availability of a premises at Wooloowin.
The owner is happy for all propose modification to be made as required.
Cost Reduction
Funding is sought in the form of products (cleaning supplies, amenities etc.) to assist with offsetting the operational expenses.
October 2015 - Seed Funding Required: $ 45,000
Legal and accounting costs of establishing the Digs4Digger Charity Foundation and the Digs4Diggers Operational Company. Includes the creation of a foundation constitution and rules for funding.
The seed funding will also cover the initial 4 month period from November 2015 to February 2016 at which point income can be established with the first Veteran and commercial tenets.
Please consider supporting this great cause. More details can be provided upon request. If not you, maybe someone you know might be interested in helping our mates. I beleive its the start of something great for our veteran community as a whole.
Point of Contact – Bruce Barker 0401 713 039