❓ Hon Sophia Moermond questions the Minister for Homelessness on the government's actions to address homelessness among older women, particularly regarding prevention, early intervention, couch surfing, and those not represented in official statistics. The Minister responds by outlining funding increases, strategic priorities, housing standards, support services, online resources, and commitments to address family and domestic violence.
AnsweredQoN 129Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
Homelessness—Older women
129. Hon Sophia Moermond to the Minister for Homelessness:
I refer to report 88
from the Standing Committee on Estimates and Financial Operations titled Funding of homelessness services in Western Australia .
(1) How has the government addressed
recommendation 12 of the report, which recommended that the Department of
Communities develop priority actions targeting the prevention of, and early
intervention in, homelessness for older women?
(2) How is the minister addressing couch surfing and
those who may not be represented in official statistics?
129. Hon Sophia Moermond to the Minister for Homelessness:
I refer to report 88
from the Standing Committee on Estimates and Financial Operations titled Funding of homelessness services in Western Australia .
(1) How has the government addressed
recommendation 12 of the report, which recommended that the Department of
Communities develop priority actions targeting the prevention of, and early
intervention in, homelessness for older women?
(2) How is the minister addressing couch surfing and
those who may not be represented in official statistics?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member
for some notice of the question. The member asked a very broad question, so the
answer is somewhat longish.
(1)–(2) In the 2024–25 financial
year, the state government announced a boost to homelessness services, with
close to an additional $140 million in homelessness funding to ensure the
continuation of 120 critical homelessness services across Western Australia.
Older people, particularly older women, are recognised as a priority cohort
under the All Paths Lead to a Home: Western
Australia's 10-Year Strategy on Homelessness 2020–2030 . The Department
of Communities seeks to deliver social housing to a silver level standard—that
is, a Livable Housing Australia standard—where practical, ensuring that
it is accessible and adaptable and will better meet the changing needs of
occupants over time, including older women.
Housing First Support Services has
been critical in supporting rough sleepers into permanent accommodation and
providing them with the case management and supports they need to sustain their
tenancies. Communities remains committed to collaborating across government and
with the community services sector to identify streamlined ways to support
people experiencing or at risk of homelessness, including those who are couch
surfing.
On 31 March this year, the
government launched Find My Way, an online homelessness portal providing
information on homelessness services, which is available 24 hours a day, seven
days a week and has been designed to reach those who are not already connected
with homelessness services.
When homelessness in older women may be due to family
and domestic violence, the state government has an election commitment to
significantly boost refuge capacity in both Geraldton and Albany and a
commitment to fund new Safe at Home programs.
for some notice of the question. The member asked a very broad question, so the
answer is somewhat longish.
(1)–(2) In the 2024–25 financial
year, the state government announced a boost to homelessness services, with
close to an additional $140 million in homelessness funding to ensure the
continuation of 120 critical homelessness services across Western Australia.
Older people, particularly older women, are recognised as a priority cohort
under the All Paths Lead to a Home: Western
Australia's 10-Year Strategy on Homelessness 2020–2030 . The Department
of Communities seeks to deliver social housing to a silver level standard—that
is, a Livable Housing Australia standard—where practical, ensuring that
it is accessible and adaptable and will better meet the changing needs of
occupants over time, including older women.
Housing First Support Services has
been critical in supporting rough sleepers into permanent accommodation and
providing them with the case management and supports they need to sustain their
tenancies. Communities remains committed to collaborating across government and
with the community services sector to identify streamlined ways to support
people experiencing or at risk of homelessness, including those who are couch
surfing.
On 31 March this year, the
government launched Find My Way, an online homelessness portal providing
information on homelessness services, which is available 24 hours a day, seven
days a week and has been designed to reach those who are not already connected
with homelessness services.
When homelessness in older women may be due to family
and domestic violence, the state government has an election commitment to
significantly boost refuge capacity in both Geraldton and Albany and a
commitment to fund new Safe at Home programs.
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