This article is from the Australian Property Journal archive
THE Western Australian government is boosting homelessness outreach in the Kalgoorlie region by almost $2 million.
The service provision to Bega Garnbirringu Health Services (Bega) will see the funding used to deliver a dedicated assertive outreach service.
This will include brokerage to support and complement Return to Country approaches and an expanded scope for their existing case management service.
“I want to acknowledge Bega for partnering with the Cook Government to deliver this pilot expansion to deliver quality supported outreach for vulnerable members in our community,” said John Carey, minister for homelessness.
The enhanced outreach program will be introduced on a two-year pilot program, which will expand current homelessness services through a case management focus.
This will be integrated within the wider network of services available to the community across health, legal and other supports.
“I have been working closely with Minister Carey and key stakeholders to boost housing supply and to provide assertive services to support people experiencing homelessness in Kalgoorlie-Boulder,” said Ali Kent, local member for Kalgoorlie.
“This is an important measure to support members of our community who may be experiencing homelessness. Ensuring a local service provides this assertive support is vital to our community.”
“I’m proud to be part of the Cook Labor Government as we continue to provide assistance to the most vulnerable members of our community in the Goldfields.”
Wrap-around case management support aligns with the implementation of Housing First principles, a core pillar of All Paths Lead to a Home: Western Australia’s 10-Year Strategy on Homelessness 2020-2030.
“The Cook Labor Government has invested a record $3.2 billion in housing and homelessness measures since 2021-22,” said Carey.
“In 2024, the Cook Labor Government announced nearly $140 million in homelessness measures, including $70.2 million in the current State Budget to ensure continuation of more than 120 critical homelessness services across the State.”
“We’re also investing a further $15.7 million to expand Housing First Support Services (HFSS), which will support the establishment of HFSS in Albany, planning for Kalgoorlie, and expansion of existing services in Bunbury, Geraldton, and the Perth Metro area.”
Though in September, the Cook government did increase its social housing eligibility limits, by $13 for single and $20 for dual-income households.
