Inquiry into the Financial Administration of Services Addressing Homelessness in Western Australia

Overview

The Salvation Army’s submission to the Inquiry into the Financial Administration of Homelessness Services in Western Australia (WA) outlines the organisation’s extensive experience in delivering homelessness and family and domestic violence services across the state. It highlights critical systemic issues affecting service delivery, including chronic underfunding, short-term contracts, staffing challenges, and a severe shortage of transitional and long-term housing. The submission also reflects on the positive impact of the WA Government’s All Paths Lead to a Home strategy, while calling for more sustainable and strategic investment to meet the growing and complex needs of vulnerable populations.

Key Points

• Funding Shortfalls: Services are significantly underfunded, particularly in regional areas. Government funding often fails to cover operational costs or the complexity of client needs, forcing The Salvation Army to rely heavily on internal and philanthropic resources.
• Short-Term Contracts: Annual contract rollovers hinder strategic planning, staff retention, and service innovation. The organisation advocates for longer-term agreements to ensure stability and responsiveness.
• Housing Bottlenecks: A lack of affordable and social housing has created severe bottlenecks in crisis and transitional accommodation. Clients remain in temporary services far beyond intended durations, limiting access for new clients.
• Staffing Challenges: Recruitment and retention of qualified staff, especially in rural and remote areas, are hampered by low wages and lack of housing. WA’s funding levels for frontline staff are lower than in other states.
• Support for Strategic Initiatives: The Salvation Army supports the Housing First model and the ‘No Wrong Door’ approach but notes that implementation is constrained by inadequate housing supply and funding for wraparound services.
• Assertive Outreach and Place-Based Responses: While initiatives like the By Name List have improved collaboration, outreach services are underfunded and centralised models can limit accessibility for rough sleepers.
• Data and Reporting: The organisation values data collection but urges the government to provide feedback and transparency on how service reports are used to inform policy and system improvements.
• Recommendations: The submission calls for increased and sustained funding, more social and transitional housing, improved staff remuneration, and enhanced support for regional services.