The McGowan Government has awarded $9.4 million in contracts to experienced community service providers to improve outcomes for people experiencing homelessness in Perth and Bunbury.
To be delivered by Ruah Community Services and Anglicare WA over five years, the two contracts are integral components of the Government's $34.5 million Housing First Homelessness Initiative, which couples stable accommodation for rough sleepers with the necessary wraparound supports to keep them in that accommodation long-term.
Ruah Community Services has been awarded the contract to deliver Housing First Support Service programs across the Perth metropolitan area over the next five years, while Anglicare WA will help rough sleepers to access accommodation and wraparound care in Bunbury.
All Housing First Support Service providers must deliver evidence-based services that prioritise getting vulnerable people into housing first, and then connecting them with a network of specialist support services that can help them to access personalised supports. The aim is to specifically address the individual needs of chronic rough sleepers to manage the underlying causes and contributors to their homelessness.
Ruah Community Services has, in partnership with St Patrick's Community Support Centre and Wungening Aboriginal Corporation, been awarded $6.9 million to provide accommodation and wraparound supports to people in need across the Perth metropolitan area.
Anglicare WA will receive $2.5 million to develop and deliver localised and essential supports to help people experiencing homelessness in the State's largest regional city, in partnership with Doors Wide Open and Breakaway Inc.
The State Government is continuing its work to build on existing specialist service delivery methods that increase the community service sector's capacity to help reduce the rate of people experiencing homelessness and assist people in need, in line with All Paths Lead to a Home: Western Australia's 10-Year Strategy on Homelessness 2020-2030.
As stated by Community Services Minister Simone McGurk:
"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 place to call home.
"In line with our comprehensive 10-year strategy to address homelessness, we are now getting on with the job of leading innovative solutions that we know will improve outcomes for people experiencing homelessness in our State.
"Anglicare WA and Ruah Community Services bring a wealth of knowledge, dedication and enthusiasm to helping people in need, so I welcome their appointment to deliver services under our Housing First Homelessness Initiative.
"The Housing First Support Service will play a crucial role in supporting people to first access safe and secure housing, and then build their capacity to maintain that tenancy by addressing any factors that contributed to them becoming homeless in the first place."
As stated by Bunbury MLA Don Punch:
"Homelessness is a complex issue, which is why the McGowan Government is working in partnership with the community services sector to improve outcomes for some of the South-West's most vulnerable people.
"Importantly, this service will be delivered in accordance with Housing First principles, meaning some of Bunbury's most vulnerable rough sleepers will be supported into stable housing and assisted to address the issues that led to them becoming homeless.
"I welcome the appointment of Anglicare WA to provide support services to people experiencing homelessness in Bunbury, and look forward to rough sleepers being accommodated and supported under the Government's Housing First Homelessness Initiative."
