The State Government has awarded a $2.4 million contract to deliver accommodation and linked support services to people experiencing homelessness in the Mandurah and Rockingham area.
Over the next five years, St Patrick's Community Support Centre will receive $2.4 million to lead a specialist consortium group delivering place-based and culturally safe services to support vulnerable rough sleepers into long-term accommodation with wrap around supports.
Ruah Community Services and Wungening Aboriginal Corporation will also help St Patrick’s implement an evidence-based model.
In order to tackle the disproportionate number of Aboriginal people among local rough sleepers, Wungening will place senior Aboriginal leaders in governance roles and hire Indigenous staff to ensure the outreach work is culturally appropriate.
The aim of the program is to specifically address the individual needs of chronic rough sleepers to manage the underlying causes and contributors to their homelessness, and help them to get their lives back on track.
Community Services Minister Simone McGurk said homelessness is a complex issue.
"Importantly, the Housing First Support Service delivers tailored supports that help people in need to build their confidence and capacity to maintain a home and place to live," she said.
"This consortium of experienced service providers is well positioned to help people sleeping rough in Mandurah and Rockingham to get their lives back on track."
Mandurah MLA David Templeman said while homelessness is not a simple issue to address, we are delivering more services to address its impacts on Mandurah and other areas.
"This is a significant investment in additional accommodation and support for vulnerable rough sleepers in Mandurah," he said.
"It will go a long way to addressing the needs of some of the most vulnerable people in the community, while the State Government's Mandurah Common Ground supported housing facility is developed."
The Mandurah-Rockingham Housing First Support Service contract is part of the McGowan Government's $34.5 million Housing First Homelessness Initiative, which couples stable accommodation for rough sleepers with tailored supports to keep them in accommodation long-term.
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