Expressions of Interest for the Housing First Homelessness Advisory Group have opened today to support the McGowan Government’s continued implementation of All Paths Lead to Home: Western Australia’s 10-Year Strategy on Homelessness 2020-2030 (the Strategy).
The State Government, through the Department of Communities and Shelter WA are calling for nominations from interested people from across Western Australia.
The advisory group will seek a diverse range of representation and will include up to 12 members, will be chaired by the Minister for Homelessness and will meet quarterly starting in early 2023. Meetings will aim to identify reforms, progress implementation of housing first approaches and remove barriers.
This group consolidates existing advisory groups including the Western Australian Council on Homelessness and the Supporting Communities Forum Working Group on Homelessness. Furthermore, operational working groups administered by the Department of Communities will be consolidated.
Reducing the number of people who are at risk or experiencing homelessness is a focus for the State Government with key projects and investment being guided by the Strategy and underpinned by its Housing First and No Wrong Door approaches.
In the past year, the McGowan Government has established homelessness as a standalone Ministerial portfolio, while the Department of Communities has created a dedicated Office of Homelessness to lead coordination, strategic planning, and practices connected to homelessness services in WA.
For more information about the Housing First Homelessness Advisory Group or to register an EOI, visit the Department of Communities: https://www.wa.gov.au/organisation/department-of-communities/housing-first-homelessness-advisory-group
The EOI is open until Friday, 11 November, 2022.
As stated by Housing and Homelessness Minister John Carey:
“These reforms continue our Government’s strong focus on implementing the All Paths Lead to Home: Western Australia’s 10-Year Strategy on Homelessness 2020-2030.
“This Strategy is evidence based and was co-designed with State and local government agencies, community service providers, people with lived experience and local communities.
“This Government is doing all it can to boost social housing, including working to retain ageing social housing properties where possible and investing in alternative construction methods, as part of our reforms to accelerate the delivery of social housing across Western Australia.
“Since 1 July 2021, the State Government has added over 700 social homes with an additional 900 new social homes currently under contract or construction.
“Homelessness is a complex issue that significantly impacts some of the most vulnerable people in our community.
“The Housing First Homelessness Advisory Group will bring together Government and community sector partners and ensure all stakeholders are focused on delivering the outcomes set in the Strategy.
“The advisory group will meet regularly and prioritise actions that remove barriers in the sector and prioritise housing first approaches.”
