- The Cook Government is committing a 15-month grant extension of the HEART service led by St Patricks Community Support Centre in partnership with Uniting WA, Noongar Mia Mia and Indigo Junction
- The grant extension will expand services to Rockingham and Stirling
- HEART supporting chronic rough sleepers to break cycle of homelessness
The Cook Government is supporting a 15-month grant extension of the Homeless Engagement, Assessment and Response Team (HEART) service as part of its near $140 million investment in homelessness initiatives.
The 15-month grant extension will continue HEART outreach services delivered by St Patrick's Community Support Centre (St Pats) in partnership with Uniting WA, Noongar Mia Mia and Indigo Junction across the Perth CBD, Midland, Joondalup, Mandurah and Fremantle areas, while expanding operations into Rockingham and Stirling.
Outreach services in Rockingham commenced this week and will be delivered through St Pats. Uniting WA will provide outreach operations in Stirling from 28 September 2024.
The HEART model provides responsive, assertive outreach and intensive support primarily for people who are experiencing chronic rough sleeping and connects them directly with specialist support services.
HEART works with highly vulnerable people with complex needs and assists them to transition from homelessness into safe accommodation and housing.
The grant extension will see HEART supported through to 30 September 2025, following which the program is set to be implemented under the State Government's Commissioning Plan.
Comments attributed to Homelessness Minister John Carey:
"The Cook Government is proud to support the HEART program and is working collaboratively with the community service sector to prioritise targeted outreach for people in need.
"The State Government is delivering record investment in housing and homelessness initiatives, with $3.2 billion committed since 2021.
"The unique partnership of HEART demonstrates the benefits of successful collaboration between government and community service providers in responding to homelessness."
