Page 1141 - Week 03 - Thursday, 18 March 2010
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indeed. The housing accommodation and support initiative model is a model that integrates service delivery and will provide improved outcomes for people with a mental illness, in relation to both sustained long-term public housing tenancies and improved mental health services.
Linking appropriate support with housing is also important to respond to domestic violence. Sadly, women and children escaping domestic violence continue to be the largest group of people seeking support from homelessness services. The ACT government has already commenced work that improves the outcome for women and children escaping domestic violence, to allow them the option of remaining in their public housing home.
I must say, as a survivor of domestic violence in a previous relationship, I know that the spectre of becoming homeless featured largely in my reluctance to leave my family home to avoid violence. Therefore, it took me much longer to actually make that move than probably was very wise but, as I said, there was the spectre of being homeless because I was obviously the person that would have to leave, given the attitude of the other person. I left it a very long time.
The staying at home after domestic violence project is a joint partnership between Housing ACT and the Domestic Violence Crisis Service and recognises the need to address both the accommodation and the support needs of women and children after domestic violence. I think we would all agree that, for people who have been affected or are being affected by domestic violence, the most important thing is that they are safe. But they cannot feel safe unless they know they have a place that they can call home.
The ACT government is aware that homelessness has a potential to affect older people as well. As a government, we are well aware of the large increase in our older population that will occur in the ACT in the not-too-distant future. This expected increase in the number of older people living in the ACT must always be factored into our planning.
We know that currently the health minister has before us the plans that she has been putting in place to address this issue with regard to health. And it is no different to looking at housing and planning to ensure that we are responding appropriately to this challenge that we have on our doorstep. The housing needs of older people are a key focus of the ACT’s program under the nation building and jobs plan. Fortunately, new housing stock will feature universal design principles to support older people to age in place.
It is surprising, when you have a disability of some description, which I did have a few years ago—members would recall I had my hip replaced—how many things you find in a normal home that can prevent you getting around comfortably. And obviously, as we age—I am sure you know that is going to be a long time for you, Mr Assistant Speaker—there are challenges that are thrown up in our homes. I certainly found those when I had a temporary disability. So it is very important that these features are designed into our homes so that people can age in place.
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