Page 1894 - Week 07 - Thursday, 20 August 1992
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There is no question that SAAP programs are needed in Canberra because we have a social mix of people whose housing needs change and vary over time. SAAP funding helps catch those people who are not provided for in the private or public housing markets, particularly women in transition, who find their circumstances changed and who cannot satisfy their housing needs in the short term. They need assistance because of financial, social and emotional factors which leave them unable to participate in the rental or purchase market. The assistance offered is short or medium term, depending on individual circumstances. Again, let me quote from the 1991-92 ACT SAAP plan:
The focus of the program will be on transitional assistance. Services will be designed to be of varying duration and levels of support to meet the needs of individuals to move towards independent living or other appropriate alternatives.
The Federal Government has further recognised the need for varying forms of housing by increasing funding for community housing projects in this year's budget and by introducing another program of social housing. We know that there will always be a need for supported accommodation assistance programs, as there will always be a need for people to obtain transitional housing while they reconstruct their lives.
Mr Cornwell, in his introductory speech to this motion, discussed the undue secrecy of the supported accommodation assistance program in terms of where specific houses and flats are located in the general community. What Mr Cornwell fails to realise is the absolutely paramount importance of maintaining the privacy of the individuals accommodated, for their own protection. Mr Cornwell has already unwittingly divulged the street address of one particular house, effectively placing the residents at considerable personal risk. The integration of supported accommodation with the local community is very important. This is best achieved through the promotion of the program as a whole and through service providers informing local neighbours that the occupants of the particular residence will be a transitory population.
Again, it is useful for me to quote from personal experience. As part of the consultations on the draft Territory Plan, I attended a meeting organised by the ACT Planning Authority to discuss how the plan might affect residents of Woden and Weston Creek, and the subject of supported accommodation was raised. At first my fellow participants were sceptical about the program and about the sorts of people who would be living in their neighbourhoods. However, once I explained to participants what the SAAP program was all about, they embraced the concept enthusiastically. The concept of community service providers and the ACT Housing Trust working together to support members of the community in need was applauded.
It is regrettable that Mr Cornwell has moved to disallow Determination No. 68 of 1992 concerning the SAAP program. I will be happy at any time to discuss the operation of SAAP with Mr Cornwell, as I am sure other members of this Assembly will be. I urge members most strongly to oppose Mr Cornwell's motion.
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