HOMELESSNESS SERVICES — BUNBURY
389. Hon JAMES HAYWARD to the parliamentary secretary
representing the Minister for Community Services:
I
refer to the Graham Bricknell Music Shell in Bunbury and the broader wraparound
services for homeless individuals in Bunbury.
(1) Does the
department track how many people, on average, use the Bricknell music shell as
a shelter each night for rough sleeping; and, if yes, what is the average
number a night since February 2021?
(2) Has the
ministerial office received any correspondence or held any meetings on this
issue; and, if yes, please detail when, who was involved and any resolutions
from the correspondence or meeting?
(3) Have the
department or the minister worked with relevant stakeholders to develop an
action plan to ensure that the Bricknell music shell is not used as a de facto
homeless shelter on an ongoing basis?
(4) Considering that we have
experienced the wettest winter in some time —
(a) what extra
wraparound services, if any, have been provided within the Bunbury and greater
Bunbury region to assist homeless people; and
(b) what options
do homeless people in Bunbury, other than the Bricknell sound shell, have to
escape the elements and, if facilities are available, what is the capacity of
those facilities?
Hon
SAMANTHA ROWE replied:
I thank the member for some notice
of the question and provide the following answer on behalf of the Minister for
Community Services.
(1) The
Department of Communities has funded Anglicare WA, in partnership with the
Breakaway Aboriginal Corporation and Doors Wide Open, to provide the Housing
First Support Service. The Housing First Support Service works directly with
people experiencing homelessness in the Bunbury region, which includes the
Bricknell music shell. The Housing First Support Service estimates that 13
people are at the shell.
(2) Yes. The
Minister for Housing received an email from a member of the public on 10 June
2021. This was referred to the Minister for Community Services for response.
Communities is in communication with stakeholders on this matter, including
community-based organisations. Communities is one of several agencies and
community-based organisations in Bunbury and the south west that support
individuals and families experiencing homelessness.
(3) The Housing
First Support Service works closely with Communities, the Western Australia
Police Force and the City of Bunbury rangers to actively engage with people
experiencing homelessness, including those camping at the shell.
(4) (a)–(b)
The Housing First Support Service provides wraparound services within the
Bunbury and greater Bunbury region.