Perth Inner City Housing Association guaranteed funding until mid-1998

14/11/96

The Perth Inner City Housing Association has been guaranteed funding to provide services until mid-1998, Family and Children's Services Minister Cheryl Edwardes and Federal Family Services Minister Judi Moylan announced today.

This means the association can continue to provide support and affordable long-term accommodation for up to 125 homeless people at a time in the Perth inner city area.

Family and Children's Services has granted the association $78,057 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 Edwardes said the service provided valuable support for homeless families and individuals who needed help to find stable, long-term accommodation.

"It is vital that people without homes have access to safe accommodation and services which support them and help them to re-establish their lives," she said.

"The Perth Inner City Housing Association gives them support and helps them develop knowledge and skills which allow them to stay in independent housing in the long term."

Mrs Moylan said the service provided valuable long-term benefits for homeless people in the Perth area.

"It is very important to help families and individuals without homes find stable accommodation and develop skills and knowledge so they can break the cycle of homelessness," she said.

"The continued funding demonstrates the Commonwealth and State Governments' commitment to strengthening families and providing support for homeless people in WA."

Media contacts: Diana Russell Coote (Minister Edwardes' Office) (09) 421 7777

Martine Haley (Minister Moylan's Office) (06) 277 7240