Clare Haven was blessed and opened by Monsignor Peter Meneely on 7 November 2012. The dwellings were completed as part of the Australian Government’s Nation Building – Social Housing Initiative. The aim of the Clare Haven Management Committee along with St Vincent de Paul was to “deliver affordable housing options and strategies to give people in need a safe, secure haven within which they may flourish and make a worthwhile contribution to society.”
Situated in St Anthony Drive, Alexandra Hills, Clare Haven Stage 1 is a 13 unit residential housing community, run by the Clare Haven Management Committee and St Vincent de Paul. Clare Haven is set in beautifully landscaped grounds and provides low cost housing for people on low incomes and young adults with physical challenges who are able to live independently.
Clare Haven was named in honour of St Clare of Assisi, who within the Catholic Church is the Patron Saint against eye disease, of Assisi Italy, of embroiderers, for eyes, for good weather, for gilders, for gold workers, for goldsmiths, for laundry workers, for needle workers, for Santa Clara Indian Pueblo, for telegraphs, telephones, television and television writers. Saint Clare of Assisi, one of the first followers of Saint Francis of Assisi, founded the Order of the Poor Clares, who dedicate their lives to caring for the poor and disadvantaged. She was canonised in 1255.
Clare Haven Stage 2 is currently in the preparation stages but will be operating under the same guidelines as stage 1.