❓ Question regarding state government funding for homelessness prevention and the number of people helped through joint state and commonwealth partnerships. The Minister provides details of funding, beneficiaries, and future projects, highlighting the government's commitment.
AnsweredQoN 989Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
HOMELESS
EMERGENCY ACCOMMODATION — FUNDING
989. Hon ALYSSA HAYDEN to the Minister for Child Protection:
I have noted that the Standing Committee on Environment and
Public Affairs tabled a report on emergency accommodation for the homeless
today.
(1) Can the
minister provide details on how much the state government has funded
organisations to prevent homelessness?
(2) How many people have been helped under the joint state
and commonwealth partnership?
EMERGENCY ACCOMMODATION — FUNDING
989. Hon ALYSSA HAYDEN to the Minister for Child Protection:
I have noted that the Standing Committee on Environment and
Public Affairs tabled a report on emergency accommodation for the homeless
today.
(1) Can the
minister provide details on how much the state government has funded
organisations to prevent homelessness?
(2) How many people have been helped under the joint state
and commonwealth partnership?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the honourable member for the question.
(1) The state
has met its funding obligation under the national agreement and committed $68.4
million, or 61 per cent, of $135.1 million in joint commonwealth–state
funding. As at 30 June the state had spent $96.4 million or 71 per cent of that
$135 million. Seventy-one not-for-profit organisations delivered 20 programs,
and we are on track to spend all funds by the end of the agreement at 30 June
2013. We note from the progress reports and case studies from the
not-for-profit organisations, and third-party interviews with clients, that these
programs have made a very positive difference in their lives.
(2) Over the
last few years, our target was to assist 2 159 clients across all programs.
However, 2 700 primary clients have been assisted, and of course that impacts
on their families, so the number is certainly well beyond the 2 700 primary
clients.
The funding of $135 million over
the four years was the first time in Western Australia that a commitment had
been given to homeless people that they would be put at the top of the agenda.
It was the Liberal–National government that did that for the first
time, not the Labor government. Out of that $135 million, $53.8 million was for
new support services, $30.7 million was for capital and land for new
properties, $16.4 million was for existing state-funded services and a portion
of hardship utility grant scheme and financial counselling, and $31.4 million
was for the A Place to Call Home program. As I have said, we contributed $68 million.
Over the next two years, a number
of building projects will be completed, providing an additional 174 crisis and
transitional beds for homeless people, as well as 154 additional long-term
accommodation places. Some months ago, the Premier opened the new 148-bed St
Bartholomew's House for homeless people. Another project that we are
very excited about is the Oxford Foyer, which will provide accommodation and
training for up to 98 young people between the ages of 16 and 25.
Hon Sue Ellery interjected.
Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY : I would have thought that Hon Sue Ellery would be very pleased
about these projects and the money that has been spent in the state. The
chairman of the committee noted in the report that the programs underway were
good programs, or words to that effect.
Hon Sue Ellery interjected.
Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY : On top of that, $5.4 million has been
allocated to build a new centre for Perth's homeless men.
Hon Sue Ellery interjected.
Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY : Does the Leader of the Opposition
not want to know all the good things that our government has done for homeless
people? Her government certainly did not do it.
Several members interjected.
The PRESIDENT : Order!
Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY : To answer Hon Alyssa Hayden 's question, a further $15.1 million has
been provided in 2012–13 through the national partnership to expand and
improve on those existing homelessness services. There is so much going on in
this space that I do not have time to go through it all, but I thank the
chairman of the committee, Hon Brian
Ellis —
Several members interjected.
The PRESIDENT : Order! I think the minister is
coming close to the end of her answer.
Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY : I would like to take this
opportunity also to thank Hon Brian
Ellis, who handed down the committee report. Committee reports are very
important in this place. That report showed the good work that we are doing.
Although I acknowledge that there is more to do on homelessness, I am very
pleased that our government, together with the commonwealth, has put $135 million
towards the very important issue of homelessness.
(1) The state
has met its funding obligation under the national agreement and committed $68.4
million, or 61 per cent, of $135.1 million in joint commonwealth–state
funding. As at 30 June the state had spent $96.4 million or 71 per cent of that
$135 million. Seventy-one not-for-profit organisations delivered 20 programs,
and we are on track to spend all funds by the end of the agreement at 30 June
2013. We note from the progress reports and case studies from the
not-for-profit organisations, and third-party interviews with clients, that these
programs have made a very positive difference in their lives.
(2) Over the
last few years, our target was to assist 2 159 clients across all programs.
However, 2 700 primary clients have been assisted, and of course that impacts
on their families, so the number is certainly well beyond the 2 700 primary
clients.
The funding of $135 million over
the four years was the first time in Western Australia that a commitment had
been given to homeless people that they would be put at the top of the agenda.
It was the Liberal–National government that did that for the first
time, not the Labor government. Out of that $135 million, $53.8 million was for
new support services, $30.7 million was for capital and land for new
properties, $16.4 million was for existing state-funded services and a portion
of hardship utility grant scheme and financial counselling, and $31.4 million
was for the A Place to Call Home program. As I have said, we contributed $68 million.
Over the next two years, a number
of building projects will be completed, providing an additional 174 crisis and
transitional beds for homeless people, as well as 154 additional long-term
accommodation places. Some months ago, the Premier opened the new 148-bed St
Bartholomew's House for homeless people. Another project that we are
very excited about is the Oxford Foyer, which will provide accommodation and
training for up to 98 young people between the ages of 16 and 25.
Hon Sue Ellery interjected.
Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY : I would have thought that Hon Sue Ellery would be very pleased
about these projects and the money that has been spent in the state. The
chairman of the committee noted in the report that the programs underway were
good programs, or words to that effect.
Hon Sue Ellery interjected.
Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY : On top of that, $5.4 million has been
allocated to build a new centre for Perth's homeless men.
Hon Sue Ellery interjected.
Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY : Does the Leader of the Opposition
not want to know all the good things that our government has done for homeless
people? Her government certainly did not do it.
Several members interjected.
The PRESIDENT : Order!
Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY : To answer Hon Alyssa Hayden 's question, a further $15.1 million has
been provided in 2012–13 through the national partnership to expand and
improve on those existing homelessness services. There is so much going on in
this space that I do not have time to go through it all, but I thank the
chairman of the committee, Hon Brian
Ellis —
Several members interjected.
The PRESIDENT : Order! I think the minister is
coming close to the end of her answer.
Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY : I would like to take this
opportunity also to thank Hon Brian
Ellis, who handed down the committee report. Committee reports are very
important in this place. That report showed the good work that we are doing.
Although I acknowledge that there is more to do on homelessness, I am very
pleased that our government, together with the commonwealth, has put $135 million
towards the very important issue of homelessness.
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