Safe Night Space – interim funding a Christmas miracle
It was with great relief we welcomed the Cook Government’s announcement over the weekend of $210,000 for Ruah to continue providing support to vulnerable women as an interim measure over Christmas, while a permanent Safe Night Space venue is secured.
Shelter WA Chief Executive Officer Kath Snell, joined the Minister for Planning; Lands; Housing; Homelessness Hon. John Carey MLA, and Executive Services Manager at Ruah Mark Slattery, to welcome the announcement.
The $210,000 is a short-term, interim measure that will enable Ruah to continue to provide a range of critical services to support vulnerable women in-need including, providing accommodation, transport and basic needs including clothing and food, and other supports.
Ruah Centre
This means women seeking assistance who would have normally accessed the Safe Night Space, will be able to visit the Ruah Centre on James Street instead, where they will be able to seek support based on their individual needs and on a case-by-case measure. The Ruah Centre at 247 James Street, Northbridge, is open Monday to Friday 8.30am – 2.00pm.
The Cook Government also reaffirmed its $3.1 million commitment to Ruah for Safe Night Space at James Street facility, and confirmed it is also considering Uniting WA‘s proposal for the Tranby site.
Kath described this breakthrough as a Christmas miracle, and noted the announcement marked the 17th night the Safe Night Space has been closed.
Community Outpouring
We have been immensely proud and buoyed by the huge community outpouring of support and distress at the closure of the Safe Night Space before an alternative location could be secured. An Open Letter urging Lord Mayor Basil Zempilas and the City of Perth has attracted almost 900 signatures – including many high-profile names and leaders, and another 23,000 signed a petition urgently appealing for the Safe Night Space to stay open.
The next important phase is to let the development approvals process take its course, and there will be many opportunities as part of that process to ensure the City of Perth hear from our sector and local residents and ratepayers of their support for this vital service to operate.
