Hon James Hayward asks about the possibility of using vacant government assets, specifically the old Bunbury fire station, for temporary homeless shelters. The Minister responds that the Department of Communities prefers long-term housing solutions.

AnsweredQoN 537Legislative Council
Asked
18 August 2021
Portfolio
Community Services

QuestionView source ↗

HOMELESSNESS SERVICES —
BUNBURY
537. Hon JAMES HAYWARD to the parliamentary secretary
representing the Minister for Community Services:
I refer to
homelessness in Bunbury.
(1) Is the department aware of any investigation and
consideration of temporary and/or transitory shelters to be established in
vacant government-owned assets in Bunbury, such as the old fire station on
Forrest Avenue?
(2) If yes to
(1), what options were identified and considered?
(3) For all
options identified in the answer to (2), was a report prepared on their
suitability?
(4) If yes to (3),
will the minister table those reports?

AnswerView source ↗

I thank the member for some notice
of the question. I provide the following answer on behalf of the Minister for
Community Services.
(1)–(2) The Department of Communities received correspondence
from Dr Jane Anderson containing a suggestion for temporary housing for rough sleepers at the decommissioned Bunbury
fire station, dated 19 May 2020 . A response was provided to Dr Anderson
advising that the Department of Communities was not able to support the proposal owing to a preference for
long-term or more permanent housing models in accordance with the
homelessness strategy.
(3)–(4) Not applicable.

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