Wellington, Tuesday 18 September 2012.

Invercargill supportive accommodation to close.

The Salvation Army’s Supportive Accommodation for men in Invercargill will close on October 12.

The decision comes after The Salvation Army commissioned a report from engineers in May this year, that advised that its Leven Street building, built in the 1905, is a serious earthquake risk.

Since May, The Salvation Army has relocated some of its long-term residents. Many of the residents are parolees or community mental health patients and The Salvation Army is working with government agencies to relocate the remainder.

Short-term residents are also being helped to find suitable accommodation. Currently, 17 residents remain at the 35-bed centre.

Salvation Army Supportive Accommodation National Director Captain Gerry Walker says the closure will affect 14 full and part-time staff. Staff and residents were informed of the decision yesterday. Counselling and job-search services are available to staff.

The Salvation Army has been exploring options for opening another supportive accommodation facility in the city since May. “It’s frustrating and disappointing to close Leven Street without having an alternative established, but creating a new centre from scratch in a few months has not been possible,” he says.

“It is our intention, cost permitting, to re-establish supportive accommodation and prisoner reintegration services in the city.

Issued on the Authority of Commissioner Donald Bell (Territorial Commander)
The Salvation Army, New Zealand Fiji & Tonga Territory
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