Photo: Aerial photograph of Geraldton.
The funding, to be administered by the Department of Communities, will ensure existing homelessness services continue to deliver vital support for Western Australia’s most vulnerable community members.
As part of this investment, more than 120 homelessness services will receive a share of $70.2 million to continue service delivery and meet demand. The funding boost represents an unprecedented increase to baseline funding of specialist homelessness services in WA.
This includes additional funding for accommodation services, engagement hubs, outreach services and specialist support services.
A further $15.7 million has been allocated to expand Housing First Support Services (HFSS), which are a key initiative under All Paths Lead to a Home: Western Australia’s 10-Year Strategy on Homelessness 2020-2030.
The HFSS has been critical in supporting rough sleepers into permanent accommodation and providing them with the case management and supports they need to sustain their tenancies.
Demonstrating the effectiveness of the HFSS, Geraldton and Mandurah are two of three regions across Australia which have seen a measurable reduction in rough sleeping as part of the Advance to Zero Campaign.
The $15.7 million for expanding HFSS includes:
- $6.7 million to support an expansion of the HFSS in the metropolitan area to ensure greater access to support services for those who need it; and
- $9 million to expand the HFSS in Geraldton, establish it in Albany and undertake initial planning and service design of HFSS in Kalgoorlie, to support the rollout of the Regional Supportive Landlord Model.
An additional $4.5 million will be provided to significantly expand Entrypoint, with a further $1.79m allocated to future homelessness referral services to ensure that vulnerable Western Australians can be connected with services and accommodation available.
The new funding is in addition to the $47.6 million announced by the State Government in January 2024 to enable the continuation of 15 critical homelessness services and boost service capacity.
The combined funding will ensure vital services, accommodation and support is available for Western Australians experiencing, or at risk of, homelessness when they need it.
For more information on the work of our Office of Homelessness, visit the Office of Homelessness home page.
