LAUNCESTON Abbeyfield House could be turned into a halfway facility for former prisoners, the company's chief executive has confirmed.
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While negotiations over the facility's future remain ongoing, Abbeyfield Australia CEO Chris Reside said he has spoken to Launceston's Salvation Army about turning the house into a criminal integration centre.
The aged care facility in Newnham announced earlier this month that it would close its doors on June 25.
Abbeyfield Australia believes the home can no longer operate with just six full-time elderly residents - four less than required to make a profit.
Last week, Mr Reside said his preferred alternative use for the house would see it turned into a disability care centre.
But on Friday, he said he had not ruled out the idea of the house being used as a means of integrating ex-prisoners back into society, despite the building being located next to a childcare centre.
"I am putting feelers out to the whole community to find a long-term use for the facility. Obviously we would need to have a conversation about what's best for the community, though," he said.
Mr Reside said he had spoken to the Salvation Army, but the negotiations had "gone nowhere".
Meanwhile, a recently sacked Launceston Abbeyfield housekeeper has taken aim at her former employer's decision to close the facility.
Julie Rainbow has worked at the house for more than three years.
She received a letter in the mail on Thursday informing her that her employment had been terminated. The facility's other four staff members are expected to be made redundant in the coming weeks.
Ms Rainbow said she was devastated by the decision and claimed Abbeyfield residents had been treated poorly for years.
"I would not put the Abbeyfield committee in charge of animals, let alone elderly residents," she said.
Mr Reside has denied any claims of mistreatment, however, and believes all of the organisation's employees are fond of the residents.