New youth accommodation services planned for southern suburbs

13/12/01
The State Government today announced funding of nearly $400,000 per year for three years for a new 24-hour crisis accommodation service for homeless young people to be located in the southern suburbs in or near Fremantle.
The Department for Community Development will provide $350,000 per year for a short-term accommodation service for homeless youth, and the Department of Health will provide $46,000 per year for a youth drug counsellor at the service.
Community Development Minister Sheila McHale said existing accommodation service providers had identified a need for a crisis service in the Fremantle area.
"Currently, young homeless people in Fremantle must go to Rockingham or Victoria Park for accommodation in an emergency," Ms McHale said.
"The Gallop Government made an election commitment to provide additional funds for youth crisis accommodation and these funds were made available in our first Budget."
Fremantle Mayor Peter Tagliaferri welcomed the project.
"This is a much-needed service for Fremantle and the surrounding area," Mr Tagliaferri said.
Health Minister Bob Kucera said that the Community Drug Summit highlighted the need for youth crisis services to have resources to work with young people with drug problems.
"This is an opportunity to provide an integrated service right from the start which can not only assist young homeless people but also work with those who have drug problems," Mr Kucera said.
Consultation will be held with local youth service providers and other interested parties on the type of service which can best meet the needs of young people in the local community.
For further information about the consultation process, contact: Harold Luxton of the Department for Community Development on 9222 2701.
Minister's office: 9213 6900