HOMELESSNESS — TEMPORARY ACCOMMODATION
410. Hon STEVE MARTIN to the Leader of the House
representing the Minister for Housing:
I
refer to an article in The West online headed ''New Perth
homeless camp rises from the ashes of former 'tent city''',
published on 7 May.
(1) Were any of
the people staying at the camp near McIver station offered temporary
accommodation at Boorloo Bidee Mia; and, if yes, how many people have been
accommodated; and, if no, why not?
(2) What other accommodation options are there for
regional people forced into homelessness while temporarily in Perth for
medical reasons?
Hon SUE
ELLERY replied:
I thank the honourable member for
some notice of the question.
(1) Daily outreach to the site has identified that
the majority of individuals are visiting Perth from remote regional areas. All
individuals on site have been offered support and accommodation options, or assisted
to return to country should they wish to do so.
(2) A
significant number of accommodation options are provided by the Department of
Health for those visiting Perth for medical reasons through the patient
assisted travel scheme. Individuals are supported to access a range of
commercial accommodation providers depending on their needs. Options are
inclusive of hotels; Aboriginal short-stay accommodation, including the
Elizabeth Hansen Patient Accommodation and Support Service, Aboriginal Hostels
Ltd facilities, Derbal Bidjar Hostel and Allawah Grove Hostel; Cancer Council WA accommodation, including Milroy
Lodge and Crawford Lodge; King Edward Memorial Hospital for Women short-stay accommodation, including Agnes Walsh House
Lodge; and accommodation for children and their families, including
Ronald McDonald House.
In order to support individuals to
access the accommodation and appointments, a transport and support service
operates between 6.00 am and 10.00 pm weekdays and as pre-arranged on weekends.