The State’s first Common Ground is to be established on the corner of Hill and Wellington streets near the Perth central business district.
The supported housing facility will also receive additional funding for homelessness services in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Minister for Community Services, Simone McGurk said people with complex needs would be housed and supported alongside low-income earners in the purpose-built Common Ground complex, which would include at least 70 self-contained apartments.
“The East Perth facility is one of two Common Grounds funded for homelessness services to support the implementation of WA’s first 10-year strategy on homelessness,” Ms McGurk said.
“This package includes almost $2.3 million in Lotterywest grants to services providing support to people currently experiencing homelessness.”
She said the Common Ground was a proven model of supportive housing offering a mix of permanent, affordable housing linked with tailored, dedicated support services to address the root causes of homelessness.
“The model originated in New York City more than 20 years ago and has since been adopted in other Australian States and Territories,” the Minister said.
“It offers supportive housing for people who are sleeping rough, or experiencing chronic homelessness, in a residential complex that includes self-contained apartments, communal areas and office spaces.”
She said the selection of the site next to the Royal Perth Hospital precinct followed consultation between the Department of Communities and the City of Perth to determine the best location for the first facility in the central Perth area.
