Community
18 December, 2024
A place to call home
TANDAROOK House in Cobden has been given a new lease of life after the Salvation Army Housing Victoria (SAHV) saw the site completely renovated over the past 12 months.
After sitting vacant for more than four years SAHV received a $1.7 million grant from the Victorian Government’s Big Housing Build initiative to help develop the site.
Tandarook House, a former 10-bed aged care facility, now has six modern one and two bedroom units.
SAHV acquired Tandarook House as part of an agreement with the Corangamite Shire through a land swap with the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing (DFFH).
The completed social housing initiative was officially unveiled last Wednesday with all units now occupied and providing long-term housing.
Salvation Army divisional leader state Victoria Colonel Kelvin Merrett was pleased to be able to see the project come to fruition.
“This is very much part of the mission of the Salvation Army in ensuring people have a place to be secure,” he said.
“Here we have a great example of long-term accommodation.
“This is their home and I think this a really good outcome.”
Colonel Merrett said the project was about providing “affordable accommodation options”.
“Developments like this don’t just happen; they require a lot of work,” he said.
“I want to say a sincere thank you to everyone for making this happen.”
Colonel Merrett said the SAHV would like to complete more projects like the one in Cobden, helping to give more Victorians in need a home.
“Here was a place that was identified as not being properly used,” he said.
“There’s not many places like this just sitting there.”
New resident Debbie Banks moved into the site last Tuesday and said she “burst into tears” when she got the news she had secured a home.
“I love it. It’s absolutely superb,” she said.
“It’s a home. I haven’t been able to use that word for eight years.
“I was so thankful; I’m so blessed.”
Ms Banks said she was looking forward to getting to know the local community and enjoyed being in the country.
“I love rural Victoria,” she said.
“I’m an artist and I have a lot of plans to look for ideas for upcoming projects.
“I’m so, so excited.”