Mandurah, 19 February 2016… The region has moved a step closer to employment and homelessness solutions with the launch of the Peel Secure Housing and Employment Support Strategy.
An initiative of the Peel Community Development Group in partnership with the Peel Development Commission with funding support from Royalties for Regions, the strategy was developed by Shelter WA in partnership with local stakeholders. It proposes a regional model for housing, employment, education and more to assist people in Peel who are experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness.
Advisory committee chair, Dr Sue Fyfe, described the strategy as a key milestone towards attracting the funding needed to build more housing for those in need.
“For a long time homelessness, in all its forms, has been recognised in our community as a significant problem in the Peel. There are too few places for people in need to live and create a future for themselves. This strategy is the next step in implementing a vision to do something real about this problem,” said Dr Fyfe.
The identification of housing models and concept drawings have also been completed.
Norman Baker, Acting CEO of the Peel Development Commission, said providing pathways out of homelessness enabled people to participate in the local economy.
“I congratulate Shelter WA and the Peel Community Development Group on the model proposed in this strategy. It reflects priorities in our community. People also need access to education, training and employment opportunities balanced by support in health, counselling etc to enable them to make the most of these opportunities. All of these priorities are not only part of this strategy, they also underpin our Peel Regional Investment Blueprint,” said Norman Baker.
Chantal Roberts, Shelter WA Executive Officer, said the model recognised solutions to homelessness need to be built from the ground up.
“It’s essential to respond to the specific needs in a community. In this strategy, we’ve focused on integrating unique local solutions with established protocols we’ve drawn from internationally successful models,” said Chantal Roberts.
The strategy was officially launched by Paddi Creevey, chair of the Peel Community Development Group, at a community event attended by approx. 50 guests at The Mandurah Performing Arts Centre.
Photo: Norman Baker Acting CEO of Peel Development Commission; Chantal Roberts, Executive Officer Shelter WA; Dr Sue Fyfe, Advisory Committee Chair.
For more information:
Peel Secure Housing and Support Strategy: Link
Shelter WA: Chantal Roberts, Executive Officer, Email: eo@shelterwa.org.au,
Tel: (08) 9325 6660
Peel Development Commission: Norman Baker, CEO, Email: norman.baker@peel.gov.wa.au
Tel: (08) 9535 4140