Homelessness—St Bart's—Women's service
214. Hon Steve Martin to the Minister for Homelessness:
I refer to St Bart's being forced to close its women's services by 1 July due to the government ceasing its funding.
(1) Why did the state government not approve funding to transfer the St Bart's women's service to a site in the City of Vincent recommended by St Bart's as appropriate?
(2) Can the minister confirm that the homelessness provider will offer a like-for-like service, taking into account the sensitivities as to why some of these women are in the service in the first place?
(3) When will the government provide an update on the new service provider, given that there are fewer than 40 days until the East Perth service closes?
Hon Matthew Swinbourn replied:
I thank the member for some notice of the question.
(1)–(3) The Department of Communities considers a range of options for maintaining suitable accommodation for vulnerable women accessing St Bart's. Any service that is procured by Communities to support people with an experience of homelessness will be aligned to contemporary trauma-informed practice. There is an active procurement process underway using a direct negotiation approach with one homelessness service provider. Communities will soon be in a position to announce a new contract with an alternative provider that will take over running the services currently offered by St Bart's.
