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

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.