The McGowan Government has announced a $2.4 million boost for services targeting the needs of Western Australians experiencing, and at risk of, homelessness across Perth.
Premier Mark McGowan, Community Services Minister Simone McGurk and Perth MLA John Carey visited the Tranby Centre in Perth to announce the grants provided to UnitingCare West.
The first grant, for $1.7 million, will go towards the redevelopment of the Tranby Centre and Inner City Engagement Hub to support homeless people within the city and surrounds.
The second grant, for $640,000, will further support the immediate needs of Western Australians experiencing financial hardship by providing food vouchers, bill payments and back-to-school assistance across the Perth metropolitan area.
In August, the McGowan Government provided $500,000 in new funding to enable an expansion of operating hours at Tranby Centre, which is now open from 7am to 7pm, seven days a week.
The Tranby Centre delivers assistance to more than 200 homeless people per day, from washing amenities to life skills workshops.
Renovations will help UnitingCare West improve the delivery of holistic services to support an increase in demand with its extended operating hours. The upgrades will include a fit-out of a new financial counselling and family support space at the site.
Rough sleepers can visit or be referred to the centre, which provides a vital connection point to services with support from outreach workers and authorities.
As stated by Premier Mark McGowan:
"The Government's significant and successive funding support means service providers like UnitingCare West are able to continue to deliver immediate on-the-ground assistance to some of Western Australia's most vulnerable residents.
"UnitingCare West is at the coalface of supporting rough sleepers and those in financial crisis across Perth, and I commend the work they do.
"We don't shy away from the fact that homelessness is a complex issue, especially in the CBD. That is why our sustained efforts to tackle the issue include immediate support for those who need it most, and ensures facilities like the Tranby Centre are enhanced and can provide more support services into the future."
As stated by Community Services Minister Simone McGurk:
"Homelessness is not who people are - it is something they experience at a specific point in time.
"The McGowan Government is committed to working with the service sector, local government and the broader community to address this complex community issue, which cannot be solved through isolated efforts.
"This funding forms part of a much larger effort shared across government, community and private sectors to deliver more co-ordinated, sustainable and lasting solutions to end homelessness."
As stated by Perth MLA John Carey:
"For the past two years, I have been working with the City of Perth to drive a more co-ordinated approach to homelessness in the city, to consolidate the efforts of around 50 groups working on this issue.
"This grant to the Tranby Centre is very much welcomed - to enhance the facility as a daytime service to assist rough sleepers to break the cycle of homelessness.
"This also follows the creation of a dedicated one-stop service precinct at Moore Street, which will begin early next year, to drive better outcomes for both homelessness and the city."
