Bethlehem House – The Homeless Men’s Crisis accommodation charity in Hobart

Everything you need to know about Bethlehem House

A brief history

On 10th September 1972 the Society of St Vincent de Paul opened an overnight shelter for homeless men at 56 Warwick Street, Hobart. It became the primary homeless charity in Hobart, supported by a Vencentian volunteers from local conferences. At that time the doors opened at 5 o’clock each night, guests were given a towel and pyjamas and had to leave Bethlehem House by 8am the next morning. The assumption was that the men who used the service were only temporarily homeless. The initial plan to offer them a bed for one or two nights until they moved into stable accommodation was soon challenged. It became clear that the issues facing clients were far more complex. Many were alcoholics and some faced ‘permanent homelessness’. Because of this and ‘the Homeless Person’s Assistance Act, 1974’, Government assistance was provided and we were able to give additional daytime support. The Dominican Sisters came to help by providing not only spiritual support but hard work and determination. This helped to save Bethlehem house from closure in 1981, when finances just could not keep up with demand.

Bethlehem House grew in 1977 when we added 20 new beds, a kitchen and dining facility and medical centre, in a modern annex behind the original heritage building. At the time nobody thought about reducing energy costs and the result today is a poorly heated, cold building with huge energy costs. The main house still has shared rooms and all rooms share bathrooms. There are no rooms for men with families to spend time with their partner and children so sadly, Bethlehem House remains a facility for men only.

There is a large courtyard area and a wall of remembrance carries the inscribed plaques of over 300 men who have passed through Bethlehem House and sadly passed away. The average age of death for these homeless men is less than 50 years old.

Over the years, the Bethlehem House has changed a lot to meet the needs of our disadvantaged community. We still help a wide range of homeless men, many of whom have experienced problems with family and relationship breakdown, mental health issues, alcohol and substance abuse, and periods of unemployment and/or imprisonment.

In 2007, with money from a bequest and the St Vincent de Paul Hobart Regional Council, we were able to buy another smaller four-bedroom house close to our shelter. It was named Hallam House and was officially opened by the then-Governor of Tasmania, the Honorable William Cox.

In 2017 Bethlehem House was left a generous bequest which is reserved to enable us to develop appropriate new services and facilities to meet the needs of homeless men for years to come. The interest from this bequest is helping to provide essential services and well-being activities. Bethlehem House continues to struggle with inadequate mainstream funding to meet the core operating costs, each year. The assistance of volunteers and the donations from generous Tasmanians continue to make all the difference. Thank you.

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Our Vision

A compassionate Tasmania which supports homeless men

Our Mission

To provide quality crisis accommodation and excellent support services to homeless men and to men at risk of homelessness, in Tasmania.

Our values and principles

These values and principles form the basis and underpin the work of the organisation. All staff, volunteers, board members and business partners must be aware of these values and principles and ensure that their work supports the capacity of the organisation to realise these.

Respect
Recognising the worth of the individual regardless of his circumstances, status, race, religion, politics or behaviour.
Fostering the growth of human dignity and respect.
Respecting individual and group differences.
Empowerment
Encouraging self-help as a means to growth in self -confidence and responsibility.
Promoting opportunities for a more satisfying life for the men.
Affording each man the opportunity to make best use of his potential.

Hope
Developing the organisation as a community of genuine care and unconditional positive regard.
To believe in the capacity for change through solutions focused methodology.
Integrity
Adhere to high quality principles of case management and professionalism at all times.
Be accountable for our actions. Be our word. Act with transparency.