Salvos Housing partners with local corps in ground-breaking initiative

Inspecting the project (from left) Major Dale Murray (Divisional Operations Manager - Qld), Jason Burns (Senior Development Manager - Qld Strategy and Development), Chris Karagiannis (CEO of Salvation Housing), Cheri Erai-Collins (State Manager of Salvos Housing – NSW, Qld, ACT) and Major Darlene Murray (Officer Personnel Secretary with Salvos Qld).

BY LERISSE SMITH

A dynamic new $17 million social housing project in Queensland’s Toowoomba region is set to transform lives by providing people in need with affordable and secure safe accommodation.

The innovative development of 23 modern units is the second largest Salvos Housing development in Queensland to date and the first of its kind in the state.

Additionally, it marks the first partnership development between Toowoomba Corps and Salvos Housing, featuring a ground-floor community-care space zone run by the corps, one of its many exciting features.

“It has been really, really exciting,” said Cheri Erai-Collins, State Manager of Salvos Housing (NSW, Qld, ACT).

“We expect construction to be completed by mid-June. I believe the greatest impact will be for the Salvos and continuing the connection with the local community in providing the access space both to residents and wider community. Having that space and connection to corps, and the connection to the mission of The Salvation Army, will probably have the most impact.”

The social housing project in Toowoomba taking shape.

Toowoomba Corps previously owned the site in Snell Street, which was used as a Salvation Army warehouse before being converted into a Family Store. 

However, due to COVID-19 restrictions and additional compliance requirements, it became untenable to continue utilising the space. Salvos Housing collaborated with the corps to purchase the land into the social stream within The Salvation Army to then use it to place an application for grant funding with Queensland’s ‘Partnering for Growth’ program aimed at supporting the growth of social and affordable housing in partnership with the government and community housing providers. 

The application was successful in obtaining a 50/50 government funding agreement, partly due to surplus funds from a previous Brisbane housing development.

Cheri said the Toowoomba project would not have come to fruition if it weren’t for the decision of former Corps Officers, Majors Dale and Darlene Murray, who chose to retain the site several years ago after receiving a private market offer on the property.

“They chose to retain the property within The Salvation Army and allowed us to do the purchase and build the property at a cost to themselves (the corps) of about $500,000,” she explained. “But they didn’t see the benefit of $500,000 over the benefit of providing it (the new development) to the community.”

Salvos Housing has worked with the Queensland Government and the corps to design the development, resulting in the creation of 23 units of accommodation – 19 one-bedroom, and four two-bedroom units.

“We are excited for the partnership that we will have with Salvos Housing in this project,” said Captain Aaron Reid, Toowoomba Corps Officer.

“I think the more that we do as an organisation holistically across the board, where the corps and Social Housing are working together to form a really strong relationship at a local level, I think is better for everybody. Everybody benefits.”

Captains Aaron and Alana Reid, Toowoomba Corps Officers.

Aaron said there had been a significant need for social housing in Toowoomba due to factors such as high private rental costs and the rising cost of living, resulting in a demand for the corps’ services and support.

Domestic violence is on the rise, too: “The increase of people coming in escaping domestic violence has been quite large,” he remarked.

Local residents affected by family violence can access a variety of support services from the corps, including food hampers, the Salvos assessment line for extra support, Salvos Stores vouchers and a free cuppa from their café.

A key focus for Aaron, his wife, Alana, and the corps team has been to help people feel 'more human' and not be seen as a number, but as an individual.

The construction of the new project has been led by McNab Constructions, a long-time supporter of the Salvos who aligns with the Salvos’ mission. Salvos Housing will manage the tenant selection with the Queensland Government, aiming to create a thriving community where residents feel safe and secure.

Each one-bedroom unit includes a multi-purpose room, a result of negotiations with the Queensland Government for a 'downsizing' project. The units are being offered to people currently living in larger social housing whose children have moved out, thereby freeing up space for families in need. The multi-purpose room provides extra storage, a craft space, or a place for grandchildren to stay.

An artist’s impression of the completed Salvos Housing project in Toowoomba.

Another key aspect of the project is allocating space back to the corps to support their mission activities.

Within the building’s footprint, the community care zone is being leased back to the corps at no cost for the duration of the agreement with the Queensland Government, serving as a communal gathering space. The corps can run programs and do whatever they choose within the space.

“We were really adamant that was something that we wanted to retain,” Cheri says. “The corps had been on that site for a long time, and it is an ideal location to be connecting in with the community in that way. So, we have been working with the local corps around what they need in that space and how they are going to utilise it.”

The corps will utilise approximately 100 square meters on the ground floor as a community care space, offering support to residents and the wider Toowoomba community. Plans are also underway to offer employment and financial support services.

“We are very excited about what opportunities it can bring and what we can do in that space for not only the residents there, but also the local community that are around that area,” Aaron remarked.

 

“We are also looking at promoting positive relationships, so equipping people to better relate to friends and family and creating healthy support networks for themselves. We are also looking at doing that through the Salvos Positive Lifestyle Program. So, any of the residents wanting to come down and be involved just have to come down on the elevator and across to our space. To have that practical support and help is fantastic.”

With the proximity of the new housing development to the corps about a 5-10 minute walk, residents will have easy access to these programs.

Once completed, the new social housing will also provide residents with opportunities to volunteer at the corps café and Family Store, further integrating them into the community and promoting active involvement.

“The Toowoomba region is very much about their community,” Aaron explained.

“They love their community. They love supporting their community in whatever way they possibly can. And that is very evident also within our corps, too. Whoever walks through our door, they love. The first time that they are coming into our building, they are loved. Our people just have such big hearts and an openness to anybody coming in because they just want to see the best for people that are whoever are coming in here. That’s what we love the most - the loving, caring nature that everybody has.”