- Facility provides accommodation for homeless men in inner Perth
- Made possible with $5.4 million in land, capital works and operational funding
A new Liberal National Government-funded facility providing night shelter for homeless men was today officially opened by Premier Colin Barnett.
Mr Barnett said Tom Fisher House, located in Beaufort Street and managed by the St Vincent de Paul Society, primarily catered for homeless men over 18 who had complex issues and were vulnerable to harm or unable to access other crisis accommodation.
"Tom Fisher House is an example of the State Government working in partnership with community organisations such as the St Vincent de Paul Society to support those in need," he said.
"The facility will provide much-needed secure crisis accommodation to people who would otherwise be sleeping on the streets."
Housing Minister Colin Holt said the site was owned by the Housing Authority and included two commercial strata units at the front.
"The State Government committed $4 million through the Crisis Accommodation Program for land purchase and capital works, and an extra $1.4 million over three years to fund operation of the shelter," Mr Holt said.
Child Protection Minister Andrea Mitchell said the facility provided residents with support, resources, laundry and kitchen facilities, personal hygiene products, basic first aid and referral to mainstream and specialist services where required.
"Investment in important social infrastructure, such as Tom Fisher House, provides a safer environment for people to help them break the cycle of homelessness," Ms Mitchell said.
"Over the past four years, the State Government has provided extra 124 crisis and transitional beds for homeless people, 95 short-stay accommodation beds for Aboriginal people in Kalgoorlie-Boulder and Derby and two transitional units for homeless families."
The facility is named in recognition of Mr Tom Fisher OAM, a long-serving volunteer and former State president of the St Vincent de Paul Society. Mr Fisher passed away at the age of 95 on June 4 this year.
Housing Minister's office - 6552 6100