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House of Assembly - Fifty-Fifth Parliament, First Session (55-1)
2023-11-28 Daily Xml
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Homelessness Services

Mr ODENWALDER (Elizabeth) (16:05): My question is to the Minister for Human Services. How is the Malinauskas government responding to single women facing homelessness?

The Hon. N.F. COOK (Hurtle Vale—Minister for Human Services) (16:05): I really thank the member for Elizabeth for the question and also for his commitment to assisting people in need, particularly those experiencing homelessness. Last month, I was really pleased to stand here and tell the house about a new homelessness hub in the CBD. The hub isn't a shopfront for clients to access but a place for government and non-government organisations to share ideas and challenges while crafting better responses for people who often present with really complex circumstances that cut across portfolios.

My colleague the Minister for Women and the Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence has just been talking about how we work together as a caucus, particularly when there are these complicated situations for people in our community. I am absolutely certain that some of the women involved in this new service are absolutely those with a background of domestic violence.

This week, the story continues with another homelessness development in the city. In the past fortnight, I was honoured to open a new service in the CBD that is focusing on single women who would otherwise be homeless. The new service houses up to 10 single women aged over 40, each with their own room, ensuite and onsite supports. The intention is to offer housing and support for up to three months while people stabilise so they can then access longer term housing. Critically, this means that 10 fewer single women who were sleeping rough, living in their cars or couch surfing every night are now getting support in a place of shelter and comfort.

The new development is a partnership between the Toward Home Alliance, who are providing case management; Carrington Cottages, who are managing tenancies; and Baptist Care SA, who are offering the site at a peppercorn rent. In opening the facility, I was joined by the most amazing women. Chief among them was Rhubee Neale, who painted the picture that welcomes people into the new facility and who will be there to help people on their journey.

Rhubee shared her story at the opening, and it was a reminder of just how important these places are. Rhubee explained how she, as a 59-year-old Aboriginal woman, found herself couch surfing and wondering where to turn. After looking for help, she found Carrington Cottages. She stayed at one of their new facilities, which is another partnership with the South Australian government, called Jordan Place. I had the great joy of opening Jordan Place earlier this year following an anonymous donation of $1 million, which we then as a state matched, to buy and refurbish a former backpacker hostel.

Rhubee will be coming to the new facility—she has already moved in there—in a very different capacity from the one when she joined the family at Jordan Place. Having stabilised her circumstances, Rhubee will be a paid caretaker at the new facility in addition to being able to offer her own advice and example to those around her. Mel Rendell and Deb Buckskin joined us from Baptist Care SA. Shaya Nettle was there from Toward Home Alliance, and Karen Aistrope represented Carrington Cottages.

I am constantly humbled by the creativity, passion and sheer dedication shown by these women and their colleagues to making our community fairer and making a more just society for those who are often forgotten or walked past by so many others. While the organisations who partnered to deliver this new service all receive government support of one kind or another, this new service was delivered without a budget bid or new funding. They saw a need, they saw an opportunity to respond and then they made it happen. It is a fine example that deserves our recognition and support. The journey of Rhubee from homelessness to employment is one that we will all remember.

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