About Home

To create a safe, supportive home for those who have been forgotten and abandoned by the community at large; a place where the homeless, mentally ill - and those incapable of living independently - can live with the dignity and love they deserve.

The Home in Queanbeyan (HOME) will provide 24 hour care for up to 20 people with chronic mental illness who are without proper shelter, care, love and support; or may be in need of short term respite care. We hope that what we are proposing inspires others to do the same and is the beginning of a cultural shift in which communities lead the way in taking responsibility for citizens who are extremely vulnerable, isolated, and often homeless. Perhaps one day there will be a HOME in Albury; a HOME in Townsville; a HOME in Sydney; a HOME in ?

When HOME is established, there will also be a need for many willing helpers to ensure that the commitment of the Queanbeyan community can be maintained over many years - this is not a short-term dream.

The objectives for Home in Queanbeyan are to:

Recognise the dignity of all people, by striving to restore a sense of self-worth and belonging to people with chronic mental illness who require support to live a productive life within the community;

Generate broad community awareness about the plight of the chronically mentally ill, and in doing so to procure the involvement and support of local people, churches, community agencies, business and government;

Deliver a purpose built, long term 'Home-in Queanbeyan', with 24 hour care and support;

Help those suffering from a mental illness and in need of supported accommodation to find and maintain a place they can call home where they feel secure and are supported by the community;

Provide emotional and practical support to the residents of Home in Queanbeyan, so that they may develop a sense of belonging and are able to participate in meaningful activity and build new relationships and networks;

Provide a place of shelter where relief from such suffering and distress can be sought;

Work in tandem with other existing and new programs to provide counselling, personal helpers and mentors, support workers and employment and training assistance and support; and

Do all such things as may be incidental to the attainment of the above Objectives.

The local Anglican Church has generously backed a move for HOME to be built on a parcel of land it owns in central Queanbeyan.

Please Download a Copy of the Media Release...

Domestic style accommodation, providing 20 appropriately designed one bedroom units with en-suite - catering for 15 long term residents and 5 respite care residents. It is not intended that this be a secure facility, rather one in which residents would be free to come and go as they please. It will be their "Home" and will have the appearance of a domestic residential facility - not institutional! Ancillary facilities would include a commercial kitchen, communal dining and recreation areas, spaces for 24 hour accommodation of medical staff / carers, one or two consulting rooms and pleasant outdoor spaces and courtyards.

Staff required will include a manager, support workers and a team of community volunteers.

Home in Queanbeyan Inc will be seeking funding and in kind support from the corporate, community and government sectors. Capital Costs - $3.3 million Recurrent Costs to HOME - $152,000 p/a

We are striving to have HOME up and running by the end of 2008.