❓ Question seeks clarification on federal funding for homelessness services beyond June 2015 and asks if the state will continue funding if federal support ceases. The answer confirms federal uncertainty and highlights state commitment while deferring to future budget decisions and a White Paper.
AnsweredQoN 2091Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to the funding of homelessness services, and I ask: (a) has the Federal Government committed to the funding of the National Partnership Agreement on Homelessness beyond 30 June 2015; and (b) if National Partnership Agreement on Homelessness funding ceases, will the State Government continue to provide the necessary funding to community sector organisations to provide specialist homelessness services equivalent to the current standard?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
3 December 2014
Responded by
Minister for Child Protection
Response time
41 days
(a) No.
The Department of Social Services advised on 30 October 2014 that as with the past two years, the Commonwealth anticipates that any formal Commonwealth Government decision on the future of NPAH will be settled closer to the Commonwealth Budget.
(b) The State Government remains committed to partnering with the Commonwealth Government to address homelessness through the development of long term National Agreements for the continued provision of specialist homelessness services for Western Australians.
$115 million was allocated in the May Commonwealth Budget for a further one year transitional NPAH for 2014-15. $14.97 million was allocated to Western Australia with a requirement that the State Government match this contribution.
The State Government has been responsible for a significant increase in the number of beds and specialist homelessness services in Perth and regional areas in 2013 and 2014.
It is likely the future long term direction of homelessness services in Western Australia will be impacted by decisions following the release of the White Paper, in which housing and homelessness is one of three priority areas being considered. In the short term, at this stage, decisions regarding NPAH post 30 June 2015 will be initially subject to the commitment and direction from the Commonwealth Government 2015‑16 budget process.
The Department of Social Services advised on 30 October 2014 that as with the past two years, the Commonwealth anticipates that any formal Commonwealth Government decision on the future of NPAH will be settled closer to the Commonwealth Budget.
(b) The State Government remains committed to partnering with the Commonwealth Government to address homelessness through the development of long term National Agreements for the continued provision of specialist homelessness services for Western Australians.
$115 million was allocated in the May Commonwealth Budget for a further one year transitional NPAH for 2014-15. $14.97 million was allocated to Western Australia with a requirement that the State Government match this contribution.
The State Government has been responsible for a significant increase in the number of beds and specialist homelessness services in Perth and regional areas in 2013 and 2014.
It is likely the future long term direction of homelessness services in Western Australia will be impacted by decisions following the release of the White Paper, in which housing and homelessness is one of three priority areas being considered. In the short term, at this stage, decisions regarding NPAH post 30 June 2015 will be initially subject to the commitment and direction from the Commonwealth Government 2015‑16 budget process.
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