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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2002 Week 11 Hansard (26 September) . . Page.. 3384 ..

Homeless families

(Question No 282)

Mr Cornwell asked the Minister for Education, Youth and Family Services, upon notice, on 24 September 2002:

(1) How do you reconcile your reply to Question on notice No. 45(3) that "... Couples with children who are homeless or at risk of homelessness are also eligible to receive accommodation and support in the event that there are no sole fathers requiring at that time" and, in response to Question on notice No. 47(7) that "CANFACS will not provide accommodation to single mothers with children".

(2) Is CANFACS now providing accommodation for both groups and if not, why not. Which group has priority.

Mr Wood: The answer to the member's question is as follows:

� I am responding to this Question as the matter falls within my portfolio responsibility as Minister for Disability, Housing and Community Services.

� The Purchase Agreement outlining the services to be provided by the Canberra Fathers and Children Service specifically outlines which target groups are eligible for assistance from this service. The priority target group is "men with accompanying children who are homeless or at risk of homelessness."

� The secondary target group is "fathers whose access to their children is contingent on their obtaining and maintaining safe and secure housing".

� The Purchase Agreement (Schedule 2 Item 5.5) also allows accommodation to be provided to homeless couples with accompanying children "in the event that accommodation is available and the needs of the primary target group have been addressed."

� The Purchase Agreement also states (Schedule 2 Item 5.3) "the accommodation service will not be provided to single men (men without children or without regular contact with their children); single females or sole supporting mothers."

� Since its establishment in February 2002, the service has been operating at full capacity. Canberra Fathers and Children Service has assisted twenty (20) fathers with children and one (1) couple with children.

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