CBD site for Common Ground homelessness support
Community Services Minister Simone McGurk has revealed that WA’s first specialist supported housing complex, a Common Ground, will be built on the corner of Hill and Wellington streets in central Perth.
Construction of the Common Ground, one of two planned for Perth, will start in the 2021-22 financial year.
The East Perth facility will include at least 70 self-contained apartments and forms part of the State Government’s pledge to support homeless people into permanent housing under the Housing First approach.
Last August, Property Council WA Executive Director Sandra Brewer joined Shelter WA and other concerned groups as part of WA Alliance to End Homelessness. The Alliance has been working with all levels of government on a longer-term strategy to address homelessness.
“Property Council WA recognises the complexity of homelessness and the variety of challenges it poses for our members,” Ms Brewer said. “We will continue to advocate for measures that lead to homeless people finding accommodation as quickly as possible.”
The State Government last December pledged $71.7 million to support services for homelessness, as part of its 10-year strategy, including for two Common Ground complexes. As part of its response to the Covid-19 pandemic, the State Government has pledged an extra $6.8 million to specialist homelessness services.
Common Ground is a supportive housing model that has a mix of permanent, affordable housing linked to dedicated support services to address the root causes of homelessness. It offers services to those who are sleeping rough or experiencing chronic homelessness.
It started in New York City more than 20 years ago and has been adopted elsewhere, including Brisbane, Queensland. Ms McGurk said those who entered Common Ground programs had less interaction with police and reduced pressure on hospital emergency departments.
Perth MLA John Carey said the service would provide ongoing support to those with complex health and mental health issues.
“I have been working with the City of Perth and local stakeholders to drive a more co-ordinated approach to homelessness in the city,” Mr Carey said. “The Common Ground model has been effective in getting rough sleepers off the streets in the long-term in other cities, so I welcome its introduction to central Perth.”