Scheme to help Homeswest tenants launched in Broome

7/6/95

An innovative program aimed at helping Homeswest tenants overcome tenancy problems was today launched in Broome by Housing and Aboriginal Affairs Minister Kevin Prince.

The Minister presented a $16,000 cheque to Mamabaljun Aboriginal Corporation director Nolan Hunter as part of Homeswest's total allocation of more than $46,000 under the Special Housing Assistance Program (SHAP).

A similar SHAP program was recently established in Wyndham.

The program is aimed at minimising the number of evictions by helping difficult Homeswest tenants ensure they pay their rent or any debt and avoid anti-social behaviour.

It is the first time people have been employed in the Kimberley region under the program, which will be administered by the Mamabaljun Aboriginal Corporation in Broome and the Joongarri House Family Support agency in Wyndham.

Two Aboriginal people have been employed in Wyndham and a third is expected to fill the vacancy in Broome soon.

Mr Prince said Homeswest had allocated more than $93,000 to the program in the Kimberley region this financial year.

"The need to offer a service to tenants who could not cope with day-to-day management of their properties was acknowledged by Homeswest and other Government and community agencies," the Minister said.

"Many clients are reluctant to seek help from Government agencies but are willing to take advice from SHAP workers."

Mr Prince said some tenants had other social problems like limited financial resources, lack of budgeting skills or substance abuse which led to rental arrears or some form of anti-social behaviour.

"The appointment of mediators can often help these people overcome their problems and ultimately, avoid eviction," he said.

Mr Prince said the program was recognised throughout the community sector as playing an important role in helping those clients halt their cycle of eviction.

Homeswest has 670 tenants in Broome and 90 in Wyndham.

Mr Prince said the program had assisted hundreds of Homeswest tenants avoid eviction in Western Australia since it started in Perth in late 1991.

The program was expanded in 1994 to offer more individual support to Homeswest tenants and now operated in three metropolitan regions and seven country centres, including Geraldton, Newman, Roebourne, Hedland, Collie, Wyndham and now Broome.

Funding had been approved for a program to be established in Kalgoorlie and a suitable agency to administer the program was expected to be appointed soon.

Homeswest also had received a request to expand the program to the Bunbury region.

Media contact: Peter Harris (09) 366 0300