Page 494 - Week 02 - Wednesday, 16 February 2005
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that we have still got to get over either approval for a flatter one, the one that falls within the range of the airport—
Mr Stefaniak: Fifty-two.
MR QUINLAN: Fifty-two. The alternative is 51. That has its own problems and it is going to send us around the mulberry bush one more time because of the community standards that we have now in terms of environmental protection and in terms of all the other things that we have to measure before we can actually establish something like a dragway. It is a thing that has such a dramatic effect. That might delay it, but the intention of this government is to get the damned thing out of the road as an issue.
Housing—homeless fathers
MS PORTER: My question is to the Minister for Disability, Housing and Community Services. Can the minister inform the Assembly of the government’s new supported accommodation service for homeless dads and their children?
MR HARGREAVES: I thank Ms Porter for the question. I am very pleased to advise the Assembly that the Canberra Fathers and Childrens Service (CANFaCS), known to many members, has been funded to provide a new support accommodation service for homeless dads and their children. The new service offers families access to safe, affordable housing and encourages stronger relationships with the broader community. It will provide crisis accommodation for six families at any one time for periods of up to 12 months. The government has committed more than $450,000 per annum to this service. In total, we have committed almost $3.1 million in funding to new homelessness initiatives this year.
CANFaCS is a highly specialised support service providing accommodation and outreach assistance to men and their families. Single father families have unique needs, so it makes sense to provide them with a tailored service. The aim of the new service is to provide men who have children in their care with specialised support that will assist them in resolving their homelessness and in supporting their children.
Families accessing the service are accommodated in their own residences, head leased through Housing ACT, with support provided through outreach. This model provides families with an individual home, as opposed to refuge-style accommodation, in which they can be supported to resolve the immediate crisis that led to their homelessness and to gain skills that will help them sustain independent accommodation after support.
The government recognises the many ills that beset people in our community, particularly homeless fathers with children about them. Accommodation, a guaranteed roof over their heads, is the rock upon which they can build their recovery and that is why the government has been particularly active in addressing homelessness.
Mr Stanhope: I ask that all further questions be placed on the notice paper.
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