Amelie House donations making all the difference Housing All Australians (HAA), and a range of others, joined forces with the St Vincent de Paul Society (Vinnies) in late 2024/early 2025 to see the establishment of a new service, Amelie House, a transitional housing facility for women at risk of homelessness in Hobart. The project received a significant boost through a major furniture donation from Somerset on the Pier Hotel, valued at approximately $500,000. The former Bethlehem House now provides helps at-risk Tasmanian women access safe and comfortable transitional housing, providing an environment to work towards a more positive future while demonstrating the business sector’s commitment to social responsibility.”
Tasmania’s Parliamentary Secretary for Housing and Planning at that time, Simon Behrakis, said that our Government is tackling housing challenges head on, and we’ll continue to do all we can to support vulnerable Tasmanians. “To respond to our housing challenges, we need to think outside the box, and we want to look at the options that might be available for the temporary use of vacant facilities that can still provide appropriate accommodation in the short-term. “Identifying and using underutilised sites such as former Bethlehem House is one way in which we can tackle our housing challenges, and this program is a great example of collaboration within the sector.” The initiative, supported by $1.2 million of operational funding from the Tasmanian Government each year from the beginning of 2025 to December 2027, is managed by the St Vincent De Paul Society with support from five other service providers. This collaborative approach between government, business, and social services represents a cost-effective solution to address housing insecurity while preventing the cycle of homelessness. The project has garnered support from multiple partners, including: Dulux: Contributing paint for the facility MONA team: Providing project management expertise through HAA’s Tasmanian State Management Committee The Neill Family’s Select Foundation: Funding 18 self- contained accommodation pods and building upgrades.
accommodation for up to 43 women, furnished almost entirely through Somerset’s donation during their refurbishment. The comprehensive donation included beds, kitchen equipment, furniture for communal areas, and office furnishings, resulting in substantial cost savings for our project. “We know the scale of the housing crisis is too big for government to solve alone,” said Dan McKenna, CEO of HAA. “Through engaging the private sector, we can deliver innovative solutions to Tasmania’s housing crisis. We believe it’s in Tasmania’s long-term economic interest to house all its people, rich or poor.” The initiative demonstrated the growing commitment of businesses to address housing accessibility. The Ascott Limited, Australia – Somerset’s owner and a HAA “compassionate capitalist” – have embraced this approach across their national portfolio. “At Ascott Australia, we believe that it benefits us all to ensure that the most vulnerable among us can thrive. And we know that without secure housing for all, we cannot achieve gender equity,” said Anthea Dimitrakopoulos, General Manager Brand and ESG, The Ascott Limited, Australia. “In providing nearly 50,000 nights of supported accommodation over the next three years, this initiative will be instrumental in creating better outcomes for vulnerable women in Tasmania. Our contribution is also well aligned with our commitment to reducing our impact on the environment.” David Mansfield, Managing Director of Ascott Australasia, said “we are committed to serving the communities we operate in. Partnering with vital organisations such as Housing All Australians and the St Vincent de Paul Society Tasmania is just one way we can deliver on this commitment. We’re passionate about making a meaningful difference in the lives of people who need it most and are immensely proud to have played a role in creating a safe and welcoming space at Amelie House.” St Vincent de Paul State President Corey McGrath emphasized the project’s significance: “This partnership
Representatives from the St Vincent de Paul Society, Housing All Australians, Ascott Australia and MONA at the removal of furniture from Somerset on the Pier
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ST VINCENT DE PAUL (TAS) LTD | ANNUAL IMPACT REPORT 2024-25
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