❓ A WA parliamentary question regarding the introduction of the Homeless Assessment and Referral Service (HARS) and its relationship with the existing Crisis Care Unit (CCU). The response clarifies that HARS is an additional service, not a replacement, and addresses concerns about staffing, emergency accommodation, and advocacy.
AnsweredQoN 796Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to the release of the tender for Homeless Assessment and Referral Service (Metropolitan Area) and the Department of Child Protection's intention to engage with the not-for-profit community services sector and Local Government Authorities for the provision of this service, and I ask: (a) is the Homeless Assessment and Referral Service in addition to the Crisis Care Unit: (i) if no to (a), will the Homeless Assessment and Referral Service replace the Crisis Care Unit; and (ii) if yes to (i), is the Crisis Care Unit being abolished; (b) how many people are employed by the Crisis Care Unit: (i) if yes to (a.ii), what is intended for the employees of the Crisis Care Unit; (ii) if no to (a.ii) how will the Homeless Assessment and Referral Service work to enhance the role of the Crisis Care Unit; and (iii) if no to (a.ii) will the Crisis Care Unit still provide vouchers and/or funds for emergency accommodation; (c) will the Homeless Assessment and Referral Service assist clients with accessing private rental properties and if yes: (i) will this include identifying suitable housing and how; and (ii) will this include attending with clients to assist in negotiating a successful tenancy; and (d) will the successful tenderer for the Homeless Assessment and Referral Service be in any way prevented by the contract on commenting or advocating on the need for greater numbers of public housing stock, and if yes, how?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
6 August 2013
Responded by
Parliamentary Secretary representing the Minister for Child Protection
Response time
41 days
(a) Yes, the Homeless Assessment and Referral Service - Metropolitan Area (HARS) is an additional service and will not be replacing the Crisis Care Unit (CCU).
The HARS will provide information, assessment and referral to clients referred by the Department for Child Protection and Family Support's (the Department's) District Offices and CCU, Department of Housing's Homeless Advisory Service and selfreferrals; and actively support the client through the assessment and referral processes to the point where they are linked to an appropriate service.
(i) Not applicable.
(ii) No, the CCU is not being abolished.
(b) The CCU has a staffing level of 28.3 full time equivalents.
(i) Not applicable.
(ii) The HARS is being established to provide assistance to people who may otherwise present at the Department's District Offices, whose only presenting issue is homelessness. HARS will increase the capacity of the Department to better respond to homelessness by providing a dedicated service with a sole focus on homelessness.
(iii) CCU will continue to be able to assist with emergency accommodation after hours. CCU does not provide vouchers.
(c) No.
(i) Not applicable.
(ii) Not applicable.
(d) No.
The HARS will provide information, assessment and referral to clients referred by the Department for Child Protection and Family Support's (the Department's) District Offices and CCU, Department of Housing's Homeless Advisory Service and selfreferrals; and actively support the client through the assessment and referral processes to the point where they are linked to an appropriate service.
(i) Not applicable.
(ii) No, the CCU is not being abolished.
(b) The CCU has a staffing level of 28.3 full time equivalents.
(i) Not applicable.
(ii) The HARS is being established to provide assistance to people who may otherwise present at the Department's District Offices, whose only presenting issue is homelessness. HARS will increase the capacity of the Department to better respond to homelessness by providing a dedicated service with a sole focus on homelessness.
(iii) CCU will continue to be able to assist with emergency accommodation after hours. CCU does not provide vouchers.
(c) No.
(i) Not applicable.
(ii) Not applicable.
(d) No.
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