Continued funds for Salvation Army's Bridge House, Highgate

4/3/97

The Salvation Army's Bridge House in Highgate has been guaranteed continued funding to provide safe access and supportive accommodation to people who are homeless, Family and Children's Services Minister Rhonda Parker and Federal Family Services Minister Judi Moylan announced today.

Bridge House provides support for men and women who are at risk of becoming homeless because of drug and alcohol abuse.

"It is an intensive, personalised assistance designed to help people live independently," Mrs Parker said.

"People are provided with counselling and advocacy. They are also supported with a case work service to help them move to more stable long term accommodation and reduce the future risk of homelessness."

She also said that Bridge House had a referral and assessment service and could assist people with medical care and income entitlements.

Family and Children's Services has granted the service $47, 418 a year until June 30, 1998 under the Supported Accommodation Assistance Program (SAAP).

SAAP is a joint State and Commonwealth government program which provides more than 100 accommodation and support services for homeless people throughout Western Australia.

Mrs Moylan said Bridge House provided a necessary and valuable service for homeless people.

"It is important that people who are homeless, or at imminent risk of homelessness, are supported through their crises," Mrs Moylan said.

"The continued funding demonstrates the Commonwealth and State governments' commitment to strengthening families and providing support for homeless people in Western Australia." The service is available for admission on a 24 hour basis.

Media contact: Kaye Hopkins 481 7810 or

Doug Miell (06) 277 7240