The WA Government is delivering on its commitment to co-fund local government-led projects that will reduce homelessness with the Local Government Partnership Fund for Homelessness. 

Community Services Minister Simone McGurk marked the start of Homelessness Week 2021 by announcing the state government’s co-funding initiatives to address the issue in local communities. 

“This Homelessness Week, we commit to continue working in partnership with the homelessness services sector, local governments, business and communities towards a WA where everyone has a safe and comfortable place to sleep,” Minister McGurk said. 

“This $6 million fund will encourage State and local government partnerships that involve local decision-makers identifying and driving responses that are tailored to their area.” 

Under the new fund, the WA Government will provide one-off financial co-contributions to local government-led projects. This will ensure the responses to homelessness in their communities are locally designed, coordinated and implemented.

The fund supports the implementation of the “All Paths Lead to a Home: Western Australia’s 10-Year Strategy on Homelessness”.

Grants ranging from $25,000 to $200,000 will be awarded to local governments through four annual funding rounds. Applications for the first grant round have opened today.

The call for applications comes ahead of the new facility for the homeless at 300 Wellington Street in Perth opening later this month, providing low-barrier accommodation options and tailored support for rough sleepers and the homeless in the Perth metropolitan area. 

A further $45.4 million is being invested in the delivery of the Perth Common Ground supported housing facility being developed. This will enable the construction of 112 self-contained units, communal areas, on-site support services and commercial space. 

This year, the WA Government’s $34.5 million Housing First Homelessness Initiative is being rolled out in Bunbury, Geraldton, Mandurah, Rockingham and Perth. Service agreements are now in place to source a range of housing options for individuals and families and link them with support services to help them avoid becoming homeless. 

“As a result of the work the State Government has been doing with local governments to help address homelessness around the State, there has been growing acknowledgement of the role that they can play in delivering solutions,” Community Services Minister Simone McGurk said. 

“These additional responses, delivered at a local level, will build on the McGowan Government’s unprecedented projects to support and accommodate people experiencing homelessness in Western Australia.” 

SOURCE: WA GOVERNMENT MEDIA RELEASE

Eliza Sayon

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Eliza is a content producer and editor at Public Spectrum. She is an experienced writer on topics related to the government and to the public, as well as stories that uplift and improve the community.

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