Homelessness Minister John Carey has announced the award of a $2.25 million contract to develop and run a new online portal, which will make it easier for people sleeping rough and those at risk of, or experiencing homelessness, to access accommodation and other services in Western Australia.
Development of the portal will be led by Infoxchange in partnership with sector-based organisations Anglicare and the Innovation Unit, with Perth-based digital design agency Anthologie supporting the project through their specialised client-focused design.
The portal will provide real-time data on available beds and supports across a wide range of service providers, making it quicker and easier to support people at risk of or currently experiencing homelessness.
The portal concept was identified following discussions between the Department of Communities and community service organisations, with significant input provided by people with lived experience of homelessness.
The improved data collection provided to the community services sector will assist in providing better outcomes for people in need by making access to appropriate referrals easier to navigate.
Community service organisations and people with lived experience will be included in the design process to ensure that the portal meets their needs and is user-friendly.
The contract for the portal project was advertised through an open tender process managed by the Department of Finance, with the awarded contract period running from January 1, 2022, through to December 31, 2025.
As stated by Homelessness Minister John Carey:
“Reforming and improving the way we deliver services is a clear focus I am brining to the new Homelessness portfolio and this new online portal will be a critical tool in supporting vulnerable Western Australians who are sleeping rough.
“There are a lot of great service providers in the community, and ensuring everyone is in sync and knows where there is capacity within the system is essential.
“The portal will provide accurate and up-to-date information to help link available beds and appropriate services with people in need, in real-time.
“The portal will also provide greater capacity for faster intervention and support for people falling into homelessness, helping prevent the risk of individuals experiencing long-term issues such as chronic rough sleeping.
“The McGowan Government is committed to supporting new initiatives that can strengthen the capacity of the community services sector and expand the quality of service delivery.”
