Local leaders rally behind Pro Patria Centre despite housing grant setback

Local veterans advocacy group Pro Patria Centre (PPC) won’t apply for a veterans’ housing grant, citing a tight timeline and insufficient capital.

Pro Patria Property Trust (PPPT) is transforming the former Carmelite Monastery into an innovative multidisciplinary facility to provide clinical treatment support for veterans and first responders.

The Commonwealth Government’s Veterans’ Acute Housing Program grant aims to address veterans’ urgent housing needs and provide them with essential support services.

However, due to the tight timeline and the inability to secure the necessary capital for the project, PPC decided not to proceed with the grant application.

“We are disappointed that this grant application will not go ahead. Our commitment to supporting our veterans remains unwavering,” PPC board member Colin Taggart said.

“Veteran homelessness is a huge and increasing problem in the Riverina, and economic hardship, relationship breakdown, addiction issues and health problems cause that.

“We were pleased to be given this opportunity and grateful to Mr McCormack, who pooled everybody together.”

Mr Taggart said PPC would continue seeking solutions to help the veterans access the housing and support they needed.

“The Pro Patria Centre is actively pursuing alternative partnerships and strategies to ensure that a practical response and solution to the acute housing crisis for veterans and their families can move forward effectively,” Mr Taggart said.

PPC and the PPPT, with the support of Member for Riverina Michael McCormack and several RSL subbranches across the region, Legacy, Member for Wagga Wagga Dr Joe McGirr and Wagga Mayor Dallas Tout, had been working on assembling a consortium of veteran support agencies to apply for the housing program.

The housing grant guidelines stressed that a consortium of veteran support agencies was essential for a favourable outcome to the application.

Mr Taggert said PPC understood the complexities of collaboration but was optimistic they could still achieve a solution.

“We will continue to work with other organisations in the region and invite other veteran support organisations and interested parties to join us in this important endeavour to serve our veterans better,” Mr Taggert said.

In its 2021 survey, PPC revealed that 10 per cent of respondents had experienced some form of housing crisis in the previous five years, highlighting the growing urgency of the situation within the Riverina community.

The centre said it was actively pursuing alternative partnerships and strategies to ensure a practical response and solution to the acute housing crisis for veterans and their families could progress effectively.

“The need for immediate housing solutions for veterans is critical, and the Pro Patria Centre is determined to find ways to make this program a reality,” Mr Taggart said.

Mr McCormack said that while he was disappointed PPC could not proceed with its vision to establish acute housing for veterans in Wagga, he was proud of how veteran organisations across the Riverina came together to discuss the proposal.

“The meeting to discuss the Veterans Acute Housing Program was a good opportunity to get parties from across the Riverina, including Junee and Cootamundra, to discuss what we can do to help support veterans in need of acute housing,” Mr McCormack said.

“At the end of the day, the most important thing is to see improved outcomes for our veterans. By having the discussion, we raised awareness about the issue, which will hopefully deliver productive results in time.

“Veterans have given their utmost to Australia, and it is only right that they are given the support they need when they leave service.

“I was happy to assist Pro Patria in facilitating a meeting to bring together interested parties to discuss its proposal to apply for funding under the Veterans’ Acute Housing Program. I thank all parties for their time and involvement in the discussions.”

Dr McGirr said he was disappointed PPC was unsuccessful in its housing application.

“Our society owes a debt of gratitude to our veterans, and part of our obligation to them is to ensure they have safe, secure and decent housing,” Dr McGirr said.

“I am disappointed to learn that Pro Patria has been unable to proceed with its application for a Commonwealth grant to establish acute housing for veterans in Wagga, but I am encouraged that this issue has been brought forward for debate. I remain committed to finding ways to give our veterans the support they need.

“I am proud to have strongly associated with Pro Patria since its inception. I will continue to work closely with the group and other agencies to identify and implement programs that will ease the burden on the men and women who have served their country.”

Dr McGirr said housing and other support for veterans should be a priority for the Wagga community.

He hopes that by raising this matter as a significant concern, the grant application setback can lead to new ways for everyone to give veterans the assistance they need and deserve.