RAAFA is proud to announce that Sir Valston Hancock House, Western Australia’s first targeted accommodation program designed to support local veterans, was officially opened on 25 September 2024.
Sir Valston Hancock House, a program delivered by RAAFA and supported by RSL WA, has been made possible by Hancock Prospecting, who purchased the South Perth site in December 2023 and refurbished it into purpose-built accommodation to provide a safe haven for WA’s veterans.
Veterans’ issues can seem invisible to the broader population – after risking their lives in active duty, peacekeeping and training, these individuals are now faced with the difficult challenge of transitioning out of active service.
The post-service transition period is fraught with instability and uncertainty. Coupled with the unprecedented cost of living and housing crisis, veterans in WA have been disproportionately impacted, with nearly 6,000 experiencing homelessness over a 12-month period.
Veteran Alex Miliaresi, who was recently welcomed into the accommodation, said the program will make a big difference to his life.
“I was totally surprised when I first walked in the door at Sir Valston Hancock House and everything that I needed was here — all I needed to bring my clothes. I was homeless and living in my car and it took a month to get all my records together to be eligible to move into suitable accommodation, with the help of RAAFA and RSL WA I was able to move into Sir Valston Hancock House quickly.”
RAAFA is at the beginning of its journey to ensure a world where no veteran is experiencing homelessness and aims to welcome at least 15 veterans into Sir Valston Hancock House over the next 12 months.
