Lotteries Commission grant to provide accommodation for the disabled

20/12/98

The Lotteries Commission will provide almost $1 million over the next six months to eight non-Government agencies to help them increase their accommodation for people with disabilities.

Racing and Gaming Minister Max Evans said today the money was a one-off grant which would enable the agencies to address the needs of 35 people with disabilities who urgently required alternative accommodation.

On-going financial support would be provided by the Disability Services Commission.

Mr Evans said the 35 people to benefit from the grant had been identified through the DSC's Accommodtion Support Funding Program as being in critical need of accommodation because their support networks were breaking down.

Disability Services Minister Paul Omodei welcomed the grant.

"The Lotteries Commission deserves to be congratulated for its on-going commitment to people with disabilities in Western Australia," Mr Omodei said.

"For more than 60 years the Lotteries Commission has played a significant role in community development though its support of a huge range of community projects."

Mr Omodei said that under the DSC's first five-year business plan, a total of $14.3 million had been allocated to 1999-2000 to provide accommodation for 510 people with disabilities in critical need. To date, accommodation options had been provided for more than 420 people.

Many of these people had sick or elderly parents who were unable to continue providing support, or had challenging behaviours which were threatening the family stability, or were homeless and simply had no other options. The Lotteries Commission grant to the non-Government agencies would accelerate the provision of accommodation support for more people.

Mr Omodei said the State Government was recognised as the national leader in this field and it was continuing to press the Commonwealth to make a bigger commitment to the unmet needs of people with disabilities throughout Australia.

Media contact: Hugh Ryan 9213 6705