The Not For Profit has a 97% occupancy rate, well above the Government's national average of 86.1%, with 476 residents in its eight residential aged care homes in Perth's Metropolitan area, Kalgoorlie and Broome.
Southern Cross Care WA also has completed its first full year of their Housing the Homeless program, designed to offer residential aged care to people over 65 who have health conditions and are homeless.
Residents who meet the requirements when assessed by the Department of Health and Aged Care's Aged Care Assessment Team and have demonstrated insecure tenancy are offered fully funded permanent residency in private single rooms. The initiative has been welcomed by social workers and homeless groups across the state.
15 new residents were welcomed into Villa Pelletier in West Leederville, 3km northwest of the Perth CBD, taking the total number of program residents to 25.
“Elderly people are one of the fastest growing cohorts within the homeless population. That’s why Southern Cross Care (WA) has established its Housing the Homeless Program at Villa Pelletier to support those who are in greatest need in our community," said Chief Executive Officer Clare Grieveson.
"Tackling homelessness is about more than just providing people a place to live. It's about ensuring they have access to the necessary support networks and health services to enjoy a good quality of life. That’s what our program is designed to do. We not only provide clinical and psychosocial care, but we have partnered with a range of community providers in this space like anti-hoarding specialists and social workers to provide clothing and other supports if they’re escaping domestic violence.”
Referrals to Housing the Homeless program are being made from homeless, healthcare, social workers and emergency departments.
