The state government has awarded MercyCare a contract to operate a women’s shelter service, replacing a soon-to-be closed St Bart’s facility in East Perth.
The state government has awarded MercyCare a contract to operate a women’s shelter service, replacing a soon-to-be closed St Bart’s facility in East Perth.
MercyCare will provide secure accommodation and services for up to 27 women, from its existing facility in Maddington.
The service, named Catherine House, will be the middle-ground between emergency housing and permanent accommodation for women experiencing homelessness.
MercyCare Family and Community Services executive director Jennie Burns said the service funded by the Department of Communities will offer the women more than a roof over their heads.
“It will provide trauma-informed, culturally appropriate care designed to help residents regain stability and independence," she said.
“Each woman will have 24/7 support and hands-on help to tackle personal challenges and find long-term housing to suit their individual needs.
“We want to connect residents with wrap-around services and care that addresses the wellbeing of the whole person, not just the housing issue.
“We want to ensure these women have the skills they need to secure and remain in stable safe housing.”
Homelessness Minister Matthew Swinbourn said the state government invested $1.8 million a year to fund the service.
“With St Bart’s no longer able to provide the service, we moved quickly to secure a new provider so that every woman currently supported will have access to safe and suitable accommodation,” he said.
However, St Bart’s last month announced it was set to close its women’s accommodation service by July 1 because of a lack of funding to secure a temporary facility amid a redevelopment of its existing site.
“The Department of Communities has now confirmed it will no longer support the service at St Bart's, resulting in the discontinuation of this vital program,” St Bart’s said in its statement.
“This closure places some of Western Australia’s most vulnerable women at risk of being left without access to safe accommodation and essential support services.”
