A proposal to house six men with issues in Bedfordale was drawing concern from residents even thought the Christian charity behind the proposal had not yet finalised the purchase of the Nelson Street property.
Operated by Pindari Ministries the restoration house would house up to six men who have experienced issues like drug addiction, homelessness and marriage breakdowns in a residential support program.
The men would live in a house at the rear of the Nelson Street property and the main house at the front of the property would be occupied by Tim Devos as a head of the house and his family.
Mr Devos was the principal of Kelmscott John Calvin school.
The second house would also include a house manager employed by Pindari Ministries.
The proposal had been put before the City of Armadale and closed for public comment on Thursday.
Nelson Street resident Jennifer Morris, who owns three properties in the area, was concerned about the impact on safety and security as well as land prices.
“They’re talking about taking on people for up to 12 months, which to me means they have to have some serious issues so these are people who could be unpredictable,” she said.
“There are no fences on the property and it backs on to a firebreak in the Bungendore park and it’s a short walk along that firebreak from there to Southern Hills Christian college.”
She said the program would be better suited to a larger block in a more rural area with a greater buffer between houses.
Maaike Smidt, who has lived in Nelson Street for 34 years, said she hadn’t been told enough about who would reside in the house, only that they would not have convictions relating to arson or sex offences.
Pindari Ministries board member John Steenhof said while he understood residents’ concerns the proposal had been well thought through and similar programs had been successfully run throughout the world.
“Programs like this have been successfully run in a number of places, including in high density areas,” he said.
“There will be a rigorous screening process and trial period that’s about making sure we don’t have violent or serious offenders.
“It’s a narrow category of men we’re targeting but there are enough to make this kind of restoration service necessary in our society.”
He said the men would also be supervised at all times and the program would include work therapy.
He said the men would receive help gaining employment, education and training.
“This is not a halfway house and the men won’t be bored or unengaged,” he said.
“It’s a ministry that’s founded on compassion and our primary concern is to reach out to guys in need.”
He said Bedfordale was the perfect area for the house because unlike more rural areas, it was close to necessary services.
The proposal would be considered by the City of Armadale council after the application was assessed by city staff.
Pindari Ministries had an option on the property.
