❓ Hon Tim Clifford asks about the increase in homelessness in WA and what preventative measures the government is considering. The Minister for Homelessness details various government initiatives and funding allocations aimed at addressing and preventing homelessness.
AnsweredQoN 354Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
Homelessness—Services
354. Hon Tim Clifford to
the Minister for Homelessness:
(1) Is the minister
aware that according to the recent report entitled Housing Affordability in Western Australia 2025: A
long way from home , nearly 25,000 clients in Western Australia accessed
specialist homelessness services in 2023–24?
(2) Is the minister aware that this represents an
18% increase since 2011–12?
(3) Given the increase and acknowledging recent
efforts to shore up homelessness support for people who are already in crisis,
is the government considering any new preventive measures beyond increasing
supply?
354. Hon Tim Clifford to
the Minister for Homelessness:
(1) Is the minister
aware that according to the recent report entitled Housing Affordability in Western Australia 2025: A
long way from home , nearly 25,000 clients in Western Australia accessed
specialist homelessness services in 2023–24?
(2) Is the minister aware that this represents an
18% increase since 2011–12?
(3) Given the increase and acknowledging recent
efforts to shore up homelessness support for people who are already in crisis,
is the government considering any new preventive measures beyond increasing
supply?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member
for some notice of the question.
(1)–(3) Reducing homelessness is a
priority of the Cook government, guided by All
Paths Lead to a Home: Western Australia's 10-Year Strategy on Homelessness 2020–2030 .
Work is underway on the second five-year action plan. The government recently
announced $1.4 million worth of additional funding to extend the WA Rent Relief
program, which provides assistance to tenants who are at risk of eviction due
to rental arrears. Additionally, the government passed reforms to the Residential Tenancies Act 1987 to limit rent
increases to once every 12 months and ban the practice of rent bidding. The
government has recently committed $53 million to deliver 100 homes across
Geraldton, Albany and Kalgoorlie to support people through this regional
supportive landlord model. The government has funded three new Safe at Home
services to assist victim-survivors of family and domestic violence to continue
living in their home with in-reach supports and security upgrades. Safe at Home
helps keep victim-survivors in their own homes with appropriate supports rather
than having to seek crisis or refuge accommodation.
Since being elected, the
government has provided an additional 91 family and domestic violence units or
rooms and has a further 88 in the pipeline. In recent budgets, the government
has delivered additional accommodation options for people at risk of family and
domestic violence, including capital funding to expand the Stirling women's
refuge to triple its current capacity, recurrent funding for the Angela Wright
Bennett Centre, the Ruah Centre for Women and Children, and a new safe house in
Leonora, as well as funding to expand rapid rehousing programs. Aboriginal
short-stay accommodation facilities provide safe, culturally appropriate and
affordable short-term accommodation. There are currently three operational facilities
located in regional Western Australia—in Broome, Derby and Kalgoorlie.
Planning is underway for three additional sites in Kununurra, Geraldton and
Perth to further expand access across the state. The Cook Labor government
works with community service organisations and Aboriginal—
Hon Neil Thomson: Is this your budget speech?
Hon Matthew Swinbourn: Do you mind, member? I am
trying to read the answer.
The President: Order! Minister.
Hon Matthew Swinbourn: Aboriginal community–controlled
organisations provide support to young people with multiple complex problems,
including homelessness. Through record investment of $127 million in early
intervention since 2017, the Cook Labor government is supporting more families
to stay together or children to return home safely. Eighty per cent of children
referred to the Intensive Family Support Service remain safely at home after 12
months.
The President: I would strongly encourage the minister
to have regard to standing order 106 in the crafting of the next lot of replies.
for some notice of the question.
(1)–(3) Reducing homelessness is a
priority of the Cook government, guided by All
Paths Lead to a Home: Western Australia's 10-Year Strategy on Homelessness 2020–2030 .
Work is underway on the second five-year action plan. The government recently
announced $1.4 million worth of additional funding to extend the WA Rent Relief
program, which provides assistance to tenants who are at risk of eviction due
to rental arrears. Additionally, the government passed reforms to the Residential Tenancies Act 1987 to limit rent
increases to once every 12 months and ban the practice of rent bidding. The
government has recently committed $53 million to deliver 100 homes across
Geraldton, Albany and Kalgoorlie to support people through this regional
supportive landlord model. The government has funded three new Safe at Home
services to assist victim-survivors of family and domestic violence to continue
living in their home with in-reach supports and security upgrades. Safe at Home
helps keep victim-survivors in their own homes with appropriate supports rather
than having to seek crisis or refuge accommodation.
Since being elected, the
government has provided an additional 91 family and domestic violence units or
rooms and has a further 88 in the pipeline. In recent budgets, the government
has delivered additional accommodation options for people at risk of family and
domestic violence, including capital funding to expand the Stirling women's
refuge to triple its current capacity, recurrent funding for the Angela Wright
Bennett Centre, the Ruah Centre for Women and Children, and a new safe house in
Leonora, as well as funding to expand rapid rehousing programs. Aboriginal
short-stay accommodation facilities provide safe, culturally appropriate and
affordable short-term accommodation. There are currently three operational facilities
located in regional Western Australia—in Broome, Derby and Kalgoorlie.
Planning is underway for three additional sites in Kununurra, Geraldton and
Perth to further expand access across the state. The Cook Labor government
works with community service organisations and Aboriginal—
Hon Neil Thomson: Is this your budget speech?
Hon Matthew Swinbourn: Do you mind, member? I am
trying to read the answer.
The President: Order! Minister.
Hon Matthew Swinbourn: Aboriginal community–controlled
organisations provide support to young people with multiple complex problems,
including homelessness. Through record investment of $127 million in early
intervention since 2017, the Cook Labor government is supporting more families
to stay together or children to return home safely. Eighty per cent of children
referred to the Intensive Family Support Service remain safely at home after 12
months.
The President: I would strongly encourage the minister
to have regard to standing order 106 in the crafting of the next lot of replies.
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