Levi House
FAQs
General Information
- Levi House will be a crisis accommodation and transitional support service for the community of Launceston.
- Levi House will be a multi-target facility including the provision of care for families.
- Residents will be able to stay in the facility for short to medium term stays of up to 6 months.
- Following exit from the residential program they will continue to benefit from transitional support for up to 12 months.
- The aim is to establish stable, long-term housing and reduce cyclical homelessness.
- The name “Levi House” came from a story in the book of Leviticus where the Tribe of Levi was not included in the tribes who were given allotments of land during the conquest of Canaan, when the nation of Israel was first established. The Lord was to be their inheritance.
- The dream to house Launceston’s Levites (homeless) will come to pass within the next 12 months – All praise be to our great God.
Where is the Levi House site situated?
At the top part of our property above the church offices and fitness centre.
What has been happening since the funding was announced?
From the commencement of the vision flowing out of Kingdom Assignment 1, we have researched and discussed with government representatives, submitted several sets of plans, had a $4M grant, and now we have finally reached the point where we are about to start construction.
Who is paying for the construction and on-going costs?
There are two sources of payment for the Levi House development. The first is the $4M grant through the Housing Innovations Unit of the State Government. This money pays for all of the costs associated in actually building the building, car parks and surroundings. The second is an operational grant, which is issued every 3 years. Door of Hope is well positioned to win this grant and will be tendering for this during May. This grant will pay all the costs for hiring staff, furnishings, motor vehicles and everything else required to run the centre each year. There will be no drain on church finances to either develop or operate this new facility.
How will it be furnished?
The operational budget has an allowance for the purchase of furnishings to set up the empty building. This is part of the operational grant.
Will there be any upgrades to our current facility or property?
As part of the Levi House development there will be an upgrade to the upper end of our car park area including a new road, 10 car parks and landscaping.
If there happens to be any left over funding do we, as Door of Hope, get to spend it any way we like?
No – any money left over must be returned to the Government.
Where does the Eldership team fit into this project?
The Elders are the Board of Door of Hope Christian Church Inc – which is the owner and developer of the building. The Elders are also the Board of Levi House Inc – which will be the operator of the service in the building should we be successful in winning the operational tender.
Who will oversee the project?
The Eldership Board has appointed a committee called the Levi House Committee and an architect, Jono Buist & Associates, to oversee the project.
When will construction commence and conclude?
Construction will commence by the end of May and conclude hopefully within 12 months.
Would the Eldership like the congregation to do anything?
Door of Hope can support this project by praying for success in the building project, safety for all the construction workers and success in the application and tender to become the operator of the new centre. We may also need some help from the congregation in setting up furniture, gardening and minor landscaping (such as planting) towards the end of the project. In addition the most important thing is that the congregation welcomes and befriends and supports the families and individuals who were formerly homeless but now find their home at Levi House.
Can the general public walk up and have a look during construction?
We will organise with the builder’s and architect’s permission a couple of opportunities for the congregation to inspect the project during construction. The rest of the time it will be fenced off with ‘a secure construction site only accessible to authorised people’ sign.
Will we be safe during construction?
The construction area will be fully fenced and secure. A traffic management plan will be in place during construction.
A ministry like this will attract all kinds of people – how can we be assured of our personal safety and security?
The church hires a security company who secures our facility every night – they have a very quick response time. We also have people who are trained in working overnight with the drop in centre and are available at each service.
Will the Drop-in Centre continue to run when Levi House is functioning?
At this stage we are planning to continue this service in a similar way to which it currently runs. People who come along to the Drop In Centre and want to make a permanent change in their lives, will be invited to enter Levi House.
For further information on the progress f this development, please check this space often or contact our office.