Geraldton Crisis Accommodation grant welcome

Nationals MP Hon Paul Brown MLC Member for the Agricultural Region has welcomed today’s official announcement from the Housing Minister, Colin Holt that he has approved a $500,000 grant for an eight-bedroom crisis accommodation project in the Geraldton locality of Karloo.

The Department of Housing will fund community housing provider Sun City Christian Centre Inc (SCCC) to build the short-stay facility under its Crisis Accommodation Program.

Mr Brown said the project would help address an urgent need for more short-stay crisis accommodation in the Geraldton region.

“This type of service is clearly needed in the area, with reports of over 85 people a night on average turned away from existing crisis accommodation,” Mr Brown said.

“This facility could be the difference between spending a night on the street and having a safe and warm place to sleep for vulnerable people.”

Access to emergency temporary accommodation was a key part of the Crisis Accommodation Program’s mission.

“This program provides capital funding to local government authorities, not-for-profit, nongovernment and community housing organisations to build or buy crisis housing such as women’s refuges, night shelters and emergency youth accommodation,” Mr Brown said.

“I have had regular meetings with representatives of SCCC in Geraldton and I am continually impressed with their dedication to improving the lives of those in need in the local Geraldton community.”

SCCC has previously received $800,000 from Royalties for Regions towards construction of their new headquarters in Karloo, which will provide a range of services to families and individuals in need, including emergency food relief, budget cooking classes and second hand clothing.

“These temporary crisis accommodation services are a starting point for connecting people with the necessary resources and support to help break the homelessness cycle and access more permanent housing,” Mr Brown said.