The State Government has awarded a $2.4 million contract to deliver accommodation and linked support services to people experiencing homelessness in the Mandurah-Rockingham area to St Patrick's Community Support Centre (St Pat's).
Over the next five years, St Pat's will receive $2.4 million to lead a specialist consortium group delivering place-based and culturally safe services to support vulnerable rough sleepers into long-term accommodation with wraparound supports.
Experienced community service organisations Ruah Community Services and Wungening Aboriginal Corporation will assist St Pat's to implement an evidence-based service delivery model, in line with the proven Housing First approach outlined in the State Government's long-term strategy to address homelessness across WA.
To help address the overrepresentation of Aboriginal people among rough sleepers in the area, Wungening Aboriginal Corporation will place senior Aboriginal leaders in governance roles and employ indigenous service delivery staff to ensure all outreach work is delivered with an emphasis on culturally appropriate practices.
The Mandurah-Rockingham Housing First Support Service contract is an integral component of the McGowan Government's $34.5 million Housing First Homelessness Initiative, which couples stable accommodation for rough sleepers with tailored supports to keep them in accommodation long-term.
All Housing First Support Service providers must deliver evidence-based services that prioritise getting vulnerable people into accommodation first, and then connecting them with a network of specialist services that can help them to access personalised supports.
The aim of the program is to specifically address the individual needs of chronic rough sleepers to manage the underlying causes and contributors to their homelessness, and help them to get their lives back on track.
More information about All Paths Lead to a Home: Western Australia's 10-Year Strategy on Homelessness 2020-2030 can be viewed on the Department of Communities website.
As stated by Community Services Minister Simone McGurk:
"Homelessness is a complex issue, but the McGowan Government has put the work in to find the best ways to address the range of issues that can lead to a person not having a safe place to stay.
"In line with our comprehensive 10-year strategy to address homelessness across WA, we are getting on with the job of leading innovative solutions that we know will improve long-term outcomes for people experiencing homelessness.
"Importantly, the Housing First Support Service delivers tailored supports that help people in need to build their confidence and capacity to maintain a home and place to live.
"This consortium of experienced service providers is well positioned to help people sleeping rough in Mandurah and Rockingham to get their lives back on track."
As stated by Rockingham MLA Mark McGowan:
"We want WA to be a safe place where everyone has a comfortable place to sleep, and Rockingham is no exception.
"I welcome the appointment of this consortium of experienced service providers to increase support and accommodation to people experiencing homelessness locally.
"Our Housing First Homelessness Initiative draws on a proven model that has been successfully implemented in cities around the world, so I am confident it will make a difference in our community."
As stated by Mandurah MLA David Templeman:
"While homelessness is not a simple issue to address, we are delivering more services to address its impacts on Mandurah and other areas.
"This is a significant investment in additional accommodation and support for vulnerable rough sleepers in Mandurah.
"It will go a long way to addressing the needs of some of the most vulnerable people in the community, while the State Government's Mandurah Common Ground supported housing facility is developed."
