State Government announces $3.1 million grant to Anglicare WA to provide housing to homeless people of Bunbury

The State Government is investing $3.1 million into Anglicare WA to expand the delivery of Housing First Support Services in the South West, but homeless advocates continue to call for more emergency infrastructure. The program was expected to provide tailored supports for people experiencing homelessness by linking them to accommodation and appropriate support services including employment, health, mental health, financial management and social support based in Bunbury. The Government said the funding would increase case management capacity and expand outreach responses outside of Bunbury. Homelessness Minister Matthew Swinbourn said HFSS was crucial in supporting people experiencing homelessness in their transition into secure, long-term accommodation. “Our Government took a commitment to the last election to expand this service in Bunbury, and today we are delivering upon that commitment,” Mr Swinbourn said. “Because we know that these types of services transform lives and provide serious, long-term solutions for people who are experiencing homelessness.” Anglicare WA director of services Philippa Boldy said they were pleased with the announcement for the Keny Miya Housing First Support Services. “This will allow us to respond to need in areas outside Bunbury city, recognising the intense homelessness and housing pressure in the South West,” Ms Boldy said. “Housing First approaches are essential to ending homelessness in WA, and this much-welcome investment will ensure more people experiencing sleeping rough can secure suitable housing as soon as possible, as well as receiving support to maintain long-term, stable tenancies.” However, homelessness advocate Jane Anderson said while it was a good step in maintaining the program, a shelter was needed to help in the interim. “The Cook Government needs to complement HFSS funding with funding for a homeless shelter. This shelter would take the pressure off peer workers and stabilise clients,” Ms Anderson said. “The HFSS only supports chronic homelessness but most homeless people are ordinary people — working poor, women aged 55-plus, single parents with children — who just happen to be homeless. “The Cook Government needs to recognise that people who are provided with interim accommodation in a homeless shelter are better placed to maintain a semblance of normal life.” Ms Anderson, who was part of a petition calling for a homeless shelter in Bunbury, said without addressing the need for the shelter the contest for housing would put the service providers under pressure. “Access to crisis and transitional housing — a homeless shelter — will assist in reducing competition and increase collaboration between services and this can be done quickly by repurposing vacant buildings, like the decommissioned fire station on Forrest Avenue,” she said. Mr Swinbourn told the Herald the State Government recognised the strong advocacy in Bunbury for additional homelessness services and said it was investing in long-term, evidence-based initiatives to support people experiencing homelessness. He said the Government was committed to a housing-first approach, helping people into stable accommodation first and then connecting them with wraparound services. “We continue to work closely with the community services sector in Bunbury and across the State to deliver on that commitment,” he said. “Ministers and the Department of Communities have received and considered correspondence from local advocates and organisations and appreciate the passion and care they’ve shown for some of the most vulnerable members of the community.” Mr Swinbourn cited support for Anglicare WA and the Djuripiny Mia Supportive Landlord Model supporting 52 individuals across 23 households in Bunbury and said a Rough Sleeper Coordination Group was also operating in Bunbury. The State Government announced on Monday it had completed six more homes for social housing in Collie. The one-bedroom timber frame dwellings were designed by Bunbury-based H+H Architects and were built by WA company Shelford Constructions. The dwellings will soon become home to vulnerable members of the Collie community, including seniors and those living with disabilities, the State Government said.