❓ Mrs. Clarke asks about new funding for homelessness services in the WA State Budget 2024-25 and how community service advocates have responded. The Minister details new funding initiatives and cites positive feedback from the sector, while criticizing the opposition's lack of alternative policies.
AnsweredQoN 298Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
STATE BUDGET 2024–25 — HOMELESSNESS SERVICES
298. Mrs R.M.J. CLARKE to the Minister for Homelessness:
I refer to the record investment by
the Cook Labor government to support critical homelessness services in Western Australia.
(1) Can the
minister advise the house how today's state budget will deliver new
funding to provide further support for Western Australia's most
vulnerable community members?
(2) Can the
minister advise the house how advocates in the community services sector have
responded to this funding investment?
298. Mrs R.M.J. CLARKE to the Minister for Homelessness:
I refer to the record investment by
the Cook Labor government to support critical homelessness services in Western Australia.
(1) Can the
minister advise the house how today's state budget will deliver new
funding to provide further support for Western Australia's most
vulnerable community members?
(2) Can the
minister advise the house how advocates in the community services sector have
responded to this funding investment?
AnswerView source ↗
(1)–(2) As
we know and have said repeatedly in this house, there are people doing it
tough. Western Australia and, of course, every state face the same scenario
that COVID-19 has radically reshaped our housing markets. Accordingly, we have
seen pressures, whether it is cost escalations, global supply chain issues or
skilled labour shortages. Our government is responding. It has demonstrated
that we are consistently looking at ways in which we can provide support to the
most vulnerable, and, of course, boost housing supply. Our budget today
reflects that commitment and our drive to assist those who are doing it tough.
That
is why we, in this budget, are committing an additional $92.2 million in new
funding for homelessness initiatives. A critical part of this is an
unprecedented increase in the baseline funding of 120 homelessness services across Western Australia. This includes
funding for emergency accommodation services, engagement hubs, outreach
services and specialist support services. In addition, we are providing $15.7 million
to expand the housing first support services. That is about providing that
intensive case management support for people
sleeping rough. We are also expanding our highly successful supported landlord
model. We are extending that to the regions. We are providing $9 million
for the Housing First Homelessness Initiative support services to roll out into
Geraldton and Albany, and to begin the work in Kalgoorlie.
We talk about big figures, but these
figures are changing people's lives. Our supported landlord model to
date, since being introduced in January last year, is currently now supporting
136 people in homes who were previously sleeping rough. It is changing lives.
That funding, and our ongoing funding, has been strongly welcomed by the
sector. I note that St Patrick's Community Support Centre stated that
this investment recognises the incredible
work its teams and its partners are doing to support vulnerable people in
our community. St Pats thanked the WA government for this major funding boost
to support the sustainability and capacity of homeless services at this time.
Of course, it is not just the community housing sector.
The Housing Industry Association,
following our $843 million boost, stated —
The announcements by the Cook
government over the last 48 hours to support our future workforce and funding
for our future homes will provide a significant boost in the quest to build
more homes for Western Australians �
It is not us saying that; it is the
advocacy groups in community housing and industry that are recognising the investments we make. Unfortunately, I have bad
news. The opposition again criticised all of it. Hon Steve Martin actually said that we had run out of ideas. I really
want members to think about this. Hon Steve Martin's main criticism
now, after we announced a $5 000 incentive to get vacant stock into the system,
is that we are running out of ideas. What is one policy of the Liberals? What
is one policy on social housing, homelessness or housing affordability? It is
zero. Neil Thomson's press conference, which I understand was one of
the most embarrassing —
Several members interjected.
Mr J.N. CAREY : Hon Neil
Thomson!
Point of Order
Dr D.J. HONEY : The minister
should refer to the member in the other place by his proper title.
The SPEAKER : Minister, that
is correct. We have an abbreviated question time today, and yours is the
longest answer so far.
Questions without Notice Resumed
Mr J.N. CAREY : I just want
to put on the record that Hon Neil Thomson's prior response to the
budget was one of the most embarrassing performances by an opposition shadow
spokesperson who, when pressed consistently, could not name one. He said we had
the wrong priorities, but could not name any priorities because his party does
not have any policies. This is the scenario we face; there is a very clear
divide. On that side, there are no policies or a National Party that wants to
increase red tape for key workers' accommodation and housing, and this
side is consistently driving policy solutions for the housing supply issues we
face in Western Australia.
we know and have said repeatedly in this house, there are people doing it
tough. Western Australia and, of course, every state face the same scenario
that COVID-19 has radically reshaped our housing markets. Accordingly, we have
seen pressures, whether it is cost escalations, global supply chain issues or
skilled labour shortages. Our government is responding. It has demonstrated
that we are consistently looking at ways in which we can provide support to the
most vulnerable, and, of course, boost housing supply. Our budget today
reflects that commitment and our drive to assist those who are doing it tough.
That
is why we, in this budget, are committing an additional $92.2 million in new
funding for homelessness initiatives. A critical part of this is an
unprecedented increase in the baseline funding of 120 homelessness services across Western Australia. This includes
funding for emergency accommodation services, engagement hubs, outreach
services and specialist support services. In addition, we are providing $15.7 million
to expand the housing first support services. That is about providing that
intensive case management support for people
sleeping rough. We are also expanding our highly successful supported landlord
model. We are extending that to the regions. We are providing $9 million
for the Housing First Homelessness Initiative support services to roll out into
Geraldton and Albany, and to begin the work in Kalgoorlie.
We talk about big figures, but these
figures are changing people's lives. Our supported landlord model to
date, since being introduced in January last year, is currently now supporting
136 people in homes who were previously sleeping rough. It is changing lives.
That funding, and our ongoing funding, has been strongly welcomed by the
sector. I note that St Patrick's Community Support Centre stated that
this investment recognises the incredible
work its teams and its partners are doing to support vulnerable people in
our community. St Pats thanked the WA government for this major funding boost
to support the sustainability and capacity of homeless services at this time.
Of course, it is not just the community housing sector.
The Housing Industry Association,
following our $843 million boost, stated —
The announcements by the Cook
government over the last 48 hours to support our future workforce and funding
for our future homes will provide a significant boost in the quest to build
more homes for Western Australians �
It is not us saying that; it is the
advocacy groups in community housing and industry that are recognising the investments we make. Unfortunately, I have bad
news. The opposition again criticised all of it. Hon Steve Martin actually said that we had run out of ideas. I really
want members to think about this. Hon Steve Martin's main criticism
now, after we announced a $5 000 incentive to get vacant stock into the system,
is that we are running out of ideas. What is one policy of the Liberals? What
is one policy on social housing, homelessness or housing affordability? It is
zero. Neil Thomson's press conference, which I understand was one of
the most embarrassing —
Several members interjected.
Mr J.N. CAREY : Hon Neil
Thomson!
Point of Order
Dr D.J. HONEY : The minister
should refer to the member in the other place by his proper title.
The SPEAKER : Minister, that
is correct. We have an abbreviated question time today, and yours is the
longest answer so far.
Questions without Notice Resumed
Mr J.N. CAREY : I just want
to put on the record that Hon Neil Thomson's prior response to the
budget was one of the most embarrassing performances by an opposition shadow
spokesperson who, when pressed consistently, could not name one. He said we had
the wrong priorities, but could not name any priorities because his party does
not have any policies. This is the scenario we face; there is a very clear
divide. On that side, there are no policies or a National Party that wants to
increase red tape for key workers' accommodation and housing, and this
side is consistently driving policy solutions for the housing supply issues we
face in Western Australia.
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