Gina Rinehart commits $200 million to veteran homelessness

In a move to recognise a national crisis and national disgrace, Gina Rinehart’s Hancock Prospecting is contributing $200 million to buy properties to help Australia’s homeless veterans and war heroes – the biggest ever private commitment for Australian veterans.

Image supplied, without caption detail.

Mrs Rinehart, named by Solider On Australia as the “Honorary Guardian of Australian veterans,” confirmed that millions in private funding will go directly to acquiring suitable accommodation to help Australia’s more than 6000 homeless veterans to get a roof over their head. 

Veterans are three times more likely to be homeless than the average Australian.

Suitable buildings across Australia are currently being assessed for acquisition and conversion into quality residential accommodation for Australian veterans, with a focus on locations that enable access to employment, transportation, services and support.

Existing buildings such as hotels, motels and apartment blocks are being prioritised, as they can be rapidly repurposed without the years of approvals and delays associated with new construction, enabling ready-to-use accommodation to be delivered to veterans as quickly as possible, recognising the urgency of the need.

This commitment adds to the Hancock Prospecting Executive Chairman’s renowned long-time backing of service personnel through generous support to Soldier On, the SAS Resources Fund, Commando Welfare Trust, Legacy, RSL and more.

It also builds on her legacy of having already provided emergency veteran accommodation in her home state of West Australia. The $10 million Sir Valston Hancock House, a dedicated veteran housing complex of newly refurbished units in South Perth, houses Aussie vets who are doing it tough and has been operating since September 2024. This facility is run by the Royal Australian Air Force Association WA Limited (RAAFA), to ensure beds are not left empty.

The facility has already provided approximately 3500 nights of accommodation to veterans who otherwise would have slept on the streets.

Named after her uncle, Air Marshal Sir Valston Eldridge Hancock, KBE, CB, DFC, who, during World War II held many roles, before being appointed Chief of Air Staff from 1961 to 1965, the House provides comfort and safety for struggling veterans and, at times, their families.

Mrs Rinehart said she was pleased to confirm that Hancock Prospecting was committing $200 million to help struggling veterans after their service to our nation.

“I was shocked to learn recently that more than 6000 veterans are homeless,” Mrs Rinehart said.

“This is unacceptable.

“I hope that others will also actively and generously help to lessen this tragedy. 

“The housing crisis, a crisis made critical by government approvals and permits delaying new housing and the ability to extend houses, high government taxes adding to costs, and record high immigration causing housing shortages, has affected many Australians.

“But maybe not enough are aware that more than 6000 of our veterans are now sleeping in the streets. 

“Clearly, our contribution alone will not help enough homeless veterans, leaving [many] veterans still homeless.”

Michelle Fyfe, CEO RAAFA WA, said RAAFA was proud to mark the extraordinary success of Sir Valston Hancock House, a program that was not only providing accommodation, but restoring dignity, stability and hope to West Australian veterans

“Since opening in September 2024, Sir Valston Hancock House has demonstrated both its impact and the scale of the need,” Mr Fyfe said.

“Since opening, the program has delivered thousands of nights of safe accommodation, supported veterans into employment, reconnected individuals with their families, and most importantly, helped people rebuild their lives.

“Behind every number is a human story; veterans who have moved from living in cars or uncertainty to having a safe place to call home, often for the first time in years.

“Sir Valston Hancock House works because it is more than housing.

“It is part of an integrated model of care, connecting accommodation with advocacy, health services, employment pathways and long-term housing solutions.

“This ‘no wrong door’ approach ensures veterans are supported holistically, not just temporarily.

“This initiative would not have been possible without the vision, leadership and generosity of Mrs Gina Rinehart and Hancock Prospecting.”

.

.


.


.