$1.2 million relocation to help homeless
A leading provider of housing and support services to local families are firmly planting their feet in Kirwan with the construction of a new $1.2 million headquarters on 9 Carlton Street.
Family Emergency Accommodation Townsville (FEAT) will move from its current location in South Townsville to a new, custom-built facility in Kirwan.
FEAT has been working with local design and construction firm Paynter Dixon, to progress with the identification and acquisition of a strategic site and design of a modern office that will enable staff to better deliver services to clients.
Mrs Stainbrook said the project would better help families who are homeless or at risk of homelessness gain access to this vital service.
“On any given night in Australia, one in 200 people are homeless,” Mrs Stainbrook said.
“People who are experiencing homelessness are usually staying in improvised dwellings, tents, sleeping rough or in supported accommodation.
“Nationally, there are over 100,000 people who are homeless and around 17% of these are children under 10. This relocation and new building will put us closer to our clients and enable them to access our services more quickly and easily.”
Paynter Dixon North Queensland Manager Michael Koen said that over a year ago, Paynter Dixon began working with FEAT to source and acquire a new site and design a new office for the organisation.
“This is really a great result from more than a year of working together to find a perfect solution for FEAT,” Mr Koen said.
“The service they deliver is so important to this community and we are very happy to be able to work with them build a great place that will help thousands of people for a long time to come.”
FEAT Manager Ruth Stainbrook joined Mayor Jenny Hill and Member for Thuringowa, Aaron Harper plant their feet in the concrete to mark the beginning of works.
FEAT have been operating in Townsville since 1978. Their services include information, referral and advocacy, crisis intervention, referral to housing and shelters and other support services for families who are homeless or at risk of homelessness
FEAT manages 26 units of temporary accommodation along with another 23 units of social housing in Townsville.
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www.feat.org.au
