Youth Affairs Council granted $60,000 to help homeless young people

23/7/97

The Youth Affairs Council of Western Australia has been granted $60,000 to help improve the quality of services for homeless young people such as youth refuges and support services, Family and Children's Services Minister Rhonda Parker announced today.

Family and Children's Services has granted a one-off initiative 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 WA.

"It is vital that young people who cannot live at home have access to quality services which support them and help them avoid crises," Mrs Parker said.

"Recent changes to the Supported Accommodation Assistance Program have established new standards to ensure services provided are of high quality.

"Refuges and support services will now be assisted in meeting these standards."

The Youth Affairs Council of WA will focus on quality by encouraging service providers to examine and address a range of issues. These will include effective administration, the needs of young people accessing the service and health and safety standards.

Mrs Parker said the Supported Accommodation Assistance Program provided accommodation in times of crisis but also had an important role in helping young people find solutions to their problems, re-establish links with their families or live independently.

This was one of four projects which would be funded to improve the quality of services to homeless people. The other three projects would focus on services for victims of domestic violence, Aboriginal people, and families and single adults.

"The new funding demonstrates the State Government's commitment to strengthening families and providing support for homeless young people throughout WA," Mrs Parker said.

Media contact: Kaye Hopkins (08) 9481 7810