Homelessness inquiry holds first hearing

On Wednesday, 16 February 2022 the Department of Communities appeared before the WA Legislative Council Standing Committee on Estimates and Financial Operations.

The hearing related to the Committee’s inquiry into the financial administration of services addressing homelessness in Western Australia. Minister Ellery (as the Member of the Legislative Council representing the Minister for Housing and Homelessness) opened the hearing by making a statement about the government’s strategic approach to homelessness and the funding and delivery of homelessness services. The hearing provided an opportunity for committee members to ask questions of the Minister and departmental officers related to the inquiry terms of reference.

A video recording of the hearing is available here.

The inquiry terms of reference are as follows:
On 17 November 2021, the Standing Committee on Estimates and Financial Operations (Committee) resolved to inquire into and report on the financial administration of services addressing homelessness in Western Australia. In particular, the Committee will consider:

(1) the current funding and delivery of services
(2) ‘All Paths Lead to a Home’, Western Australia’s 10-Year Strategy on Homelessness 2020-2030
(3) existing data systems and how data informs service delivery
(4) any other related matter.

Submissions

Submissions to the inquiry addressing one or more of the Committee’s terms of reference are due no later than Friday, 11 March 2022.

Shelter WA has received an extension and will be providing a submission to the inquiry by Friday, 1 April 2022. We will intend to circulate a consultation paper seeking member feedback on the proposed content and messaging of our submission. Our submission will also be informed by the findings of research we have commissioned which is being conducted by the Centre for Social Impact UWA.

More information about the research can be found here.

If you would like more information about Shelter WA’s submission or the CSI research please contact Jocasta Sibbel via email.