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Legislative Council - Fifty-Fourth Parliament, Second Session (54-2)
2020-11-11 Daily Xml
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Homelessness Services

The Hon. J.S. LEE (14:55): My question is to the Minister for Human Services regarding social housing. Can the minister please provide an update to the council on how the Marshall Liberal government is keeping South Australians safe and strong by addressing homelessness through the state budget?

The Hon. J.M.A. LENSINK (Minister for Human Services) (14:56): I thank the honourable member for her excellent question. Clearly, during the COVID pandemic at the height of restrictions, we had a range of measures to support vulnerable populations who may be particularly at risk if they were to contract the COVID virus, including for our rough sleepers.

The program we had is one which I think all who have been involved in should be very proud of, including our partners in the non-government sector as well as the South Australian Housing Authority, for being able to house the large number of rough sleepers, many of whom we have been able to provide more permanent accommodation. That program was called the COVID-19 Emergency Accommodation for Rough Sleepers (CEARS) response, which has stopped in terms of taking in any people who were in that program.

In the 2020-21 state budget, we did identify that there were some gaps through that particular program and additional needs that we are seeking to provide more support for. So the state budget includes some $6.3 million over two years from this financial year to accommodate vulnerable people, including some who require additional support to live independently. We know that Aboriginal people represent a significant proportion of rough sleepers in the Adelaide CBD and that 55 per cent of rough sleepers identified as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander.

The CEARS response highlighted the need for targeted and tailored housing solutions for Aboriginal elders in particular. This funding will help to reduce homelessness through providing $4 million for the delivery of 40 long-term housing outcomes in Bedford Park for Aboriginal elders who are at risk of homelessness. We are also upgrading the Holbrook site to provide 18 supported accommodation units for people who may require them for, say, a three-month period, with $2.3 million.

People housed at the authority group site will be provided with support to increase their independent living skills and secure services. One thing that we know through the CEARS response is that it was of great assistance to people to have a fixed abode where some of the support services could provide them and enable them to stabilise. Upon completion of the Aboriginal elders site, the dwellings will be leased to the Kaurna elders as community housing.

As well as delivering significant economic stimulus through the construction of the dwellings, the development is expected to reduce the demand through the rental program in the area and free up those properties for other people who may need them.

The PRESIDENT: A supplementary, the honourable deputy leader.

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