After more than a year of searching, we are thrilled to announce a new home for the Safe Space program.
Safe Space is a place of shelter, safety and support for people experiencing homelessness in Hobart. For the past year, Safe Space has been operating out of two separate locations; at our main office in Barrack St during the day, and at YouthARC in Collins St during the night.
The program will now operate out of the former Congregational Church at 47 Davey St, Hobart. The program will use the chapel as well as another building at the back of the church. The proposed date for the move is the 9th of August, subject to safety checks and the installation of shower facilities.
Currently Safe Space has 20 beds for people sleeping rough, and is at capacity every night. Approximately 150 people access the Safe Space day program every week. The day program provides a connection to key support services, as well as a comfortable place for people living on the streets. The Safe Space program has seen some significant success since it’s launch, with 46% of clients moving into permanent housing.
We would like to thank the Hobart City Council for their continued support of the Safe Space program. The Hobart City Council has made the space available for rough sleepers every night since the program’s launch in December 2019. When the YouthARC program was paused due to COVID-19 lockdowns, and after increased state government funding, the Safe Space program moved to a 24-hour model, again, with the support of Hobart City Council.
CEO of Hobart City Mission, John Stubley, says that it’s a relief to finally have a new home for the Safe Space program.
“There was a real irony that a program that supports people experiencing homelessness, was very nearly homeless itself”, says Mr. Stubley.
“It’s been a long year of searching for a suitable location, which was not easy. Many of the sites identified as potential locations were out of our price range, or unsuitable for the needs of this unique program”.
“We’re now able to support people who are experiencing homelessness with a clear vision of where we will be in the future. We’re so very grateful to everyone who has supported or donated to this program. Two-thirds of the initial funding for this program was raised by the community. Without this support, we would not see the amazing impact that this program is having on so many lives in Hobart”.
Hobart City Mission would also like to thank DarkLab, who currently lease the building, for their support in securing the new location.
DarkLab has leased the former Congregational Church since 2018, utilising the space as a festival venue during Dark Mofo, and a cultural venue for hire at other times of the year.
“We’re proud to assist in re-homing the Safe Space program at the church site,” DarkLab Creative Director Leigh Carmichael said.
“We’re hoping to collaborate with Hobart City Mission on some of the Safe Space day programs, and look forward to working with HCM towards identifying ways that people accessing the program might be involved in the festival.”
Safe Space is currently funded by the state government until June 2022. Two other Safe Spaces operate in the state; one in Launceston (run by Launceston City Mission), and one in Burnie (run by The Salvation Army).
You can help people who are experiencing hardship and homelessness, by donating goods to the Safe Space program, or by making a financial donation to our Emergency Relief program.
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