Our History

Origins as a Housing Guild

Catholic Homes was originally established in 1960 as the Catholic Housing Guild under the auspices of the Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne. In 1989, we became a separately incorporated legal entity while still maintaining a close association with the Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne. The Directors are appointed by the Archbishop.

Affordable Independent Living & Resident Funded Units

Between 1961 and 1977, Catholic Homes built 321 one and two bedroom independent living units for retired people with limited means. These were built on land purchased by Catholic Homes and with Federal capital grants funded under the Aged and Disabled Persons' Homes Act. We also assisted the Carmelites to build another 16 units in 1976 and have managed these ever since.

In 1997, we constructed a block of 10 two-bedroom resident-funded units in North Fitzroy known as St Thomas Close. We also manage a block of 9 resident-funded units in Eltham owned by Our Lady Help of Christians Parish, and 8 resident-funded units in West Brunswick owned by St Joseph's Parish.

Expansion into Residential Aged Care

In 1989 we built and opened our first residential aged care facility, St Joseph's Hostel in Hawthorn.  This facility is ideally located alongside the local Catholic Church. In the same year, we took over the operation of St Catherine's Hostel and Nursing Home in Balwyn from the Daughters of Charity, and subsequently extended this to 89 places in 2005.

In 1993 the Parish of St John Vianney invited Catholic Homes to manage the 52 place John R Hannah Hostel in Mulgrave. In 2007, this was extended to provide ageing in place for 74 residents and Hannah Village, comprising 4 resident-funded serviced units located alongside. We continue to enjoy a strong partnership with St John Vianney Parish.

In 1994 Catholic Homes finished building and opened St Bernadette's Hostel (initially 50 places) in North Sunshine. This facility is on land leased from the local Parish. In 1998 this facility was supplemented by the construction of an adjoining 30-place nursing home. This was the last facility to receive capital assistance from the Federal Government. In February 2008, we commenced construction of a 15-bed addition to provide care to residents with dementia, and to improve the amenities to facilitate ageing in place.

Also in 1994, Catholic Homes was invited to take over the operation of Providence Hostel on land owned by Netherlands Providence Elderly Citizen's Home in Bacchus Marsh. Part of this arrangement was that Catholic Homes funded and completed an extension to the facility. This occurred in 1995 to take the number of places to 58.

Also in late 2004, construction commenced on the development of our state-of-the art 120 bed ageing in place facility at Clayton on land purchased from the Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne. This facility was opened in February 2006.

Expansion includes Community Care

Catholic Homes was very pleased to become an approved provider of 30 Community Aged Care Packages in 2004. In 2008, this was increased to a total of 50 CACPs.

In 2005, Catholic Homes took over the management of accommodation for retired priests at Justin Villa Hostel in Balwyn and George Maher House in Clifton Hill on behalf of the Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne.

Integrated Aged Care Services

In line with our strategic direction to provide integrated accommodation, care and retirement living choices for seniors in Victoria, Catholic Homes commenced construction of a new retirement village at Clayton in 2007. This is located alongside Corpus Christi Aged Care Facility on land formerly utilised as a seminary.

The first 27 villa units and community centre will be available for occupancy from late 2008 to February 2009, and the remaining 19 units are expected to be completed by late 2010.