Christian-based rehabilitation centre Shalom House has invited critics to scrutinise its facilities, amid community concerns over a proposed location for its new residential quarters.
Shalom House intends to move some of its female residents to a former nursing home, situated between a primary school and children's daycare centre.
Locals have voiced safety concerns over the location in Craigie, in Perth's north.
However, Shalom House founder Peter Lyndon-James has urged people to see the program and its residents for themselves before making any judgements.
Inside Shalom House
This is what it looks like inside the Bullsbrook women's residential facility they'll soon need to leave.
Beds line the halls of the women's residential facility.
Three beds sit in the garage among a clutter of clothes and sofas.
Shalom House say the garage is needed as "overflow" due to increasing demand for its services.
Residents are forced into a strict routine with daily chores.
Shalom House say they have about 40 women in their program, 18 of whom stay at these residential quarters.
Residents pay $500 per week to take part in the program.
On paper, Shalom House has the makings of a perfect, quiet neighbour.
The residents going through its rehabilitation program follow a strict routine filled with work, church, and activities.
They're not allowed to smoke, drink, or use any drugs. They can't even swear.
Women's program manager Dee Yacoub says much of the community's criticisms of Shalom House stems from discrimination.
"Every single rehabilitation program has its haters. It's not just Shalom House," she said.
"I understand the fear, because we see the TV, and we see the news."
"But … that's not everybody."
Residents, such as Patricia Neira Norris, say community members should "come and have a look" to dispel any preconceptions of what rehabilitation looks like.
"You will see lives change. People's family reunite," she said.
"They should come and see for themselves, with their own eyes, and hear these stories from everybody here."
A history of trouble
Shalom House has been embroiled in a decade of controversy and legal disputes with local councils and neighbours.
Its lack of accreditation and overtly strict regime have been focal points of criticism.
"If you find things that we're not doing that we should be doing, help us to see what we can't see, so we can implement what you [want to] see, so we can be better," Mr Lyndon-James said.
He said he was seeking accreditation for Shalom House from the Institute for Healthy Communities Australia.
The former career-criminal admitted he had made mistakes in the past, but said he now hoped to work with the community, rather than against it.
"I've done everything that they've asked me to do in the last 10 years to make sure that I don't make the same mistakes," he said.
"We're going to do public consultation. We are ticking all the boxes."
Parents worried for children's safety
The local community in Craigie have been campaigning against Shalom House's plan to move in since they realised the property had been purchased last week.
Mother of two, Ellen*, said she would oppose the plan even, if it were a different rehabilitation service provider.
"The Mercyville building itself is nestled within the bounds of the school and the daycare," she said.
"These women have gone through childhood trauma, they've been exposed to sexual abuse, domestic violence, drug addiction, control issues … and these women are going to be housed here."
While acknowledging that Mr Lyndon-James might run a "tight ship", Ellen said the community's concerns went beyond the residents themselves.
"What if there's someone who's looking to settle a debt, or a disgruntled partner who comes to this property, and is denied entry to the property, and speeds off in his car at 80 kilometres an hour in a child zone," she said.
"He has no control over these."
"You're next door to 700-plus vulnerable children. The building itself overlooks the outside of a play space of the daycare next door."
Mr Lyndon-James said there's very little risk of Shalom House residents causing trouble at the new facility, regardless of its location.
"We won't be detoxing people there. It's a women's wellness centre," he said.
"The majority of them wouldn't even be on the property during the working week, from Monday to Friday."
Shalom House is yet to lodge a development application for the new property.
