A potential answer to Tasmania’s housing crisis was unveiled at the St Helens Neighbourhood House.
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The THRIVE Build Project aimed to increase employment opportunities on the East Coast and to address housing issues throughout the state.
St Helens Neighbourhood House manager Trish O’Duffy said the build program began in 2017 after receiving a $250,000 from the Department of State Growth’s Training and Work Pathways Program.
The aim of the project was to help young people from the region to gain skills and employment, and to help create affordable accomodation, she said.
The project saw one apprentice and six volunteers work on creating a one bedroom home out of a recycled shipping container.
On March 27, people gathered at the Trade Training Centre at St Helens to congratulate those involved and to see the container home for themselves.
Labor leader Rebecca White attended the launch.
“I was so thrilled to be at the launch of THRIVE Build in St Helens [on March 27] where the incredible Trish and her committee have successfully completed the first repurposed shipping container as part of their social enterprise,” Ms White said.
“A clever idea that provides training, professional development and housing and one the government should look to expand.”
Project participants received credits toward a Certificate III in Carpentry, and were supported with access to literacy mentors, health professionals, and mentoring by experienced tradespeople.
The project was a collaboration of the Break O’Day Trade Training Centre, Tasmanian Building Group Apprenticeship Scheme, Break O’Day Council, and the St Helens Neighbourhood House.
The build project was just one part of the THRIVE initiative, Ms Duffy said.
“Following a community consultation undertaken by St Helens Neighbourhood House in partnership with Break O’Day Council and St Helens District High School in September 2014, a framework for action was developed that provided solutions to issues identified by our community in relation to improving Year 12 outcomes.”