HOMELESSNESS

Ms BEDFORD (Florey) (15:00): My question is to the Minister for Housing. What is the government doing to assist young women into secure and safe housing options?

The Hon. J.M. RANKINE (Wright—Minister for Families and Communities, Minister for Northern Suburbs, Minister for Housing, Minister for Ageing, Minister for Disability) (15:01): I thank the member for Florey for her question. I know that she has a strong interest in this particular area. Last week, I had the pleasure of going to Port Lincoln to open new accommodation facilities for Yarredi Services.

The Hon. M.J. Atkinson interjecting:

The Hon. J.M. RANKINE: Yes, I did actually. These facilities for women and children escaping domestic violence are vital in responding to the issues of disadvantage and homelessness in our community. What we know is that homeless people form one of the most powerless and marginalised groups in our community, and women with accompanying children are even more so. Today, we understand more about the factors that cause homelessness and the factors that sustain it. We also have a far greater understanding of what works in addressing homelessness.

Importantly, through our Premier, we have been able to put homelessness on the political agenda here in South Australia to such an extent that Monsignor David Cappo now leads much of the Prime Minister's work in this area. Homelessness extends beyond simply a roof over one's head to a lack of a home and community. It has enormous ramifications in every aspect of a person's life, be it access to health care, employment, education and so on.

Domestic and family violence continues to be the major driver of homelessness in this country. Escaping violence is the most common reason provided by people who seek help from specialist homelessness services. In fact, 55 per cent of women with children and 37 per cent of young single women who seek assistance from specialist homelessness services do so because they are escaping domestic violence.

Moira Shannon, founder of Yarredi Services and chief executive officer for, I think, about 10 years, told us at the opening that this service has assisted something like 3,000 women and 5,000 children during the past 30 years that it has been operating. The state government is very proud to be a partner in their services.

The now Minister for Environment and Conservation and member for Cheltenham approved $2.3 million from the Crisis Accommodation Program to replace the former women's shelter with the facility I opened last week. A fortnight earlier, I was honoured to open an exciting renovated Louise Place facility in Fullarton, which lifts and keeps young mums out of homelessness. Louise Place provides crisis accommodation and support to young mothers in a safe and therapeutic environment.

Through a successful partnership between Housing SA and Centacare Catholic Family Services, funding of more than $300,000 was provided for a significant upgrade of their existing facilities. Six units have been significantly renovated and upgraded to become eight units, so the two new units will now provide a haven for two more young mothers and their children. Both facilities send a very strong message to women and children, that is, that they matter and that there is a better way forward for themselves and their children. These are just two of the many important projects undertaken by this government, and they are a fine example of why we continue to lead the nation in social inclusion.