About 50 people protested in defence of Foley House outside the office of Labor MP Katie Hall in Footscray on June 14.
Foley House provides vital and much-supported accommodation for men with complex needs. The Salvation Army, which runs the centre, has decided to close it, citing rising operating costs. Men with complex needs, once promised a “forever home” at Foley House, are at risk of being pushed back into rough sleeping.
Footscray Community Response (FCR) said the Salvation Army’s reported income last year was $1.295 billion, with a total spend on its housing and accommodation budget of $187 million.
FCR spokesperson Shifrah Blustein told the protest he was concerned about what “relocation” means.
“Workers at Foley House have told us that men are being moved into inferior accommodation, that does not meet their needs, or referred back into the homelessness system. Unsuitable accommodation with insufficient support is a pipeline back into homelessness.
“This decision comes at the same time the state government has invested in significantly increased police and [Public Safety Officers] in Footscray to punish the inevitable consequences of failures on housing and disability care.”
Spike, from the Homeless People’s Union Victoria, as well as Foley House workers and a resident spoke out against the “Starve-ation Army’s” decision.
“We understand the Salvation Army intends to retain ownership of the building,” Blustein said. “Repurposing it for any other use, at a time of acute housing and homelessness crisis in this electorate and across Victoria, would be deeply irresponsible.”
The protesters are calling on the Salvation Army to reconsider its decision and for the Labor government to: Implement an immediate moratorium on resident relocations from Foley House until a funding and operational solution is found; and urgently explore funding or partnership arrangements to keep Foley House operational and ensure the purpose-built facility continues to provide essential supported accommodation.
The rally marched to the electorate office of MP Lizzie Blandthorn, the minister for disability, and demanded a sustainable funding solution for Foley House.
FCR has written to local MP Katie Hall, federal Labor MP Daniel Mulino, Maribyrnong City Council and the Salvation Army urging a solution. The group has also asked all candidates for the state election seat of Footscray to commit to advocating for a sustainable funding solution to keep Foley House operating, should they be elected.
[Sign the petition against the Foley House closure.]