❓ Mr. Krsticevic asks about the Hotels with Heart project, a COVID-19 response for vulnerable rough sleepers. The Minister provides details on costs, participants, selection criteria, project timeline, and future plans, citing the pilot's success and current low COVID-19 infection rates as reasons for its discontinuation and lack of immediate plans for similar projects.
AnsweredQoN 6122Legislative Assembly
Asked
19 May 2020
Member
Portfolio
Child Protection; Women's Interests; Prevention of Family and Domestic Violence; Community Services
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to the Hotels with Heart project, and ask: (a) What was the total cost of the project; (b) What was the total number of participants in the project; (c) What was the criteria used to select participants; (d) Which service provider/s selected the participants; (e) How many participants were: (i) men; (ii) women; (iii) under 18 years; and (iv) families; (f) On what date did the first participant/s start staying in a hotel; (g) On what date did the project end; (h) Why was the project discontinued; (i) Has an evaluation report been completed: (i) If yes, will you table a copy of the same; and (ii) If no, why not; and (j) Are there any plans to undertake a similar project in the future?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
23 June 2020
Responded by
Minister for Child Protection; Women's Interests; Prevention of Family and Domestic Violence; Community Services
Response time
9 days
(a) The Department of Communities is working with Ruah Community Services to finalise actual costs of the pilot. The initial estimate for the pilot was $497,941, and is expected to cost less than this amount.
(b) 30.
(c) Health risk was the fundamental factor in determining the allocation of places to ensure that the pilot reached those who were at highest risk of developing severe disease progression of COVID-19 as a result of pre-existing conditions. Potential participants were initially screened for underlying health conditions (hypertension, cardiovascular disease, respiratory conditions, diabetes and suppressed immunity/auto immune condition), COVID-19 symptoms and additional risk factors such as smoking or malnutrition using a triage tool developed for the project. Once triaged, those offered accommodation undertook a further assessment conducted by Ruah Community Services and UnitingCare West.
(d) Ruah Community Services and UnitingCare West.
(e) (i) 19.
(ii) 11.
(iii) None.
(iv) None.
(f) 30 March 2020.
(g) The four-week pilot concluded on 24 April 2020, although some clients remained at the hotel for a few days after the pilot ended while they waited for long-term accommodation to become available. The last client exited the Pan Pacific Hotel on 29 April 2020.
(h) Hotels with Heart was a four-week pilot project to test an emergency response to protect vulnerable rough sleepers with underlying health issues from COVID-19. The pilot was based on a health response, rather than a housing response. The situation in Western Australia changed significantly during the pilot and it was decided not to continue the pilot at the end of the four weeks due to the lack of widespread community transmission of COVID 19.
(i) An interim evaluation has been prepared with the final evaluation report due for completion in mid-2020. Subject to appropriate approvals, this final report will then be tabled.
(J) There are no immediate plans to undertake a similar project at this time, due to the low numbers of COVID-19 infections in Western Australia.
(b) 30.
(c) Health risk was the fundamental factor in determining the allocation of places to ensure that the pilot reached those who were at highest risk of developing severe disease progression of COVID-19 as a result of pre-existing conditions. Potential participants were initially screened for underlying health conditions (hypertension, cardiovascular disease, respiratory conditions, diabetes and suppressed immunity/auto immune condition), COVID-19 symptoms and additional risk factors such as smoking or malnutrition using a triage tool developed for the project. Once triaged, those offered accommodation undertook a further assessment conducted by Ruah Community Services and UnitingCare West.
(d) Ruah Community Services and UnitingCare West.
(e) (i) 19.
(ii) 11.
(iii) None.
(iv) None.
(f) 30 March 2020.
(g) The four-week pilot concluded on 24 April 2020, although some clients remained at the hotel for a few days after the pilot ended while they waited for long-term accommodation to become available. The last client exited the Pan Pacific Hotel on 29 April 2020.
(h) Hotels with Heart was a four-week pilot project to test an emergency response to protect vulnerable rough sleepers with underlying health issues from COVID-19. The pilot was based on a health response, rather than a housing response. The situation in Western Australia changed significantly during the pilot and it was decided not to continue the pilot at the end of the four weeks due to the lack of widespread community transmission of COVID 19.
(i) An interim evaluation has been prepared with the final evaluation report due for completion in mid-2020. Subject to appropriate approvals, this final report will then be tabled.
(J) There are no immediate plans to undertake a similar project at this time, due to the low numbers of COVID-19 infections in Western Australia.
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