Offenders build homes for needy

Andrew Mathieson
CONVICTED offenders are lining up to build new affordable accommodation for struggling families around Geelong.
Rather than the usual work of community-based orders such as pulling out weeds or picking up rubbish, the men are busy erecting walls and nailing down roofs.
They also plaster, sand and paint to put the finishing touches on the portable bungalows.
Building the homes is proving so popular that offenders have been put on a waiting list.
Rob Leonard, executive director of program coordinator Children’s Charity Network, said most offenders considered their usual work under community-based orders to be pointless.
“They say they hate going on the bus and they hate picking up papers on the side of the road all day,” Mr Leonard said.
“But they tell me they love being here working on the homes – it’s something they look forward to but we can’t take them all.”
Mr Leonard said 35 men have contributed more than 400 hours so far toward building three bungalows in the past three months.
Many participants in the charity program were now considering new careers in trades, he said.
Mr Leonard believed that the unpaid community service had given the participants a greater understanding of “working culture”.
“The only jobs they seem to get are on the production line where there is no interest and very low wages,” Mr Leonard said.
“They say it is better off to knock things off because it’s easier and quicker but, if they have some training, they might pick up a trade.”
Participants build the nine-by-3.6-metre bungalows on a vacant block at Lara for transport to sites around the Geelong region.
Welfare agency McKillop Family Services delivers the makeshift homes to low-income families, the elderly, disabled and foster families.
Mr Leonard said the bungalows cost about $15,000 each.
Geelong charities provided funding, while all work was carried out voluntarily, he said.