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UWA Business School
Homelessness is on the policy agenda in Western Australia and this issue is being tackled in a collaborative, innovative and integrated way, according to the Innovations in Homelessness Policy and Services in Western Australia forum presented by the UWA Business School's Centre for Social Impact and Social Innovation in Western Australia (SiiWA) in May at The University Club of Western Australia.

The forum showcased a major new homelessness service in Western Australia the Street-to-Home program and the role of social enterprises in providing employment options for those who are homeless or formerly homeless.  It discussed the reshaping of an affordable housing system to support economic participation and address homelessness.

More than 60 government, corporate, academic and third sector representatives attended to hear speakers engaged in homelessness innovation.

Lynne Evans, CEO St Barts, Julie Waylen, Department for Communities and Adele Stewart, Executive Manager UnitingCare West, spoke on the ‘Street-to-Home' program - a collaboration of eight services aiming to resolve homelessness through a holistic and long-term approach.  Services include mental health, housing (long-term and crisis accommodation) and a data information provider.

Tom Tolchard, former manager of STREAT, and Ross Kyrwood, CEO Mission Australia WA, presented on ‘Social Enterprises and Homelessness'.  Tom highlighting that consumerism was a potent way of social change and a blended approach to homelessness was needed.

Greg Cash, Director Affordable Housing Policy Strategy and Policy, Department of Housing, put forward a challenge during his session on ‘Participation and Addressing Homelessness'.  He said more accommodation was not going to solve homelessness and affordability, but that the government needed to stimulate more opportunities for home ownership and affordable private rental and that the market had to respond to low income earners.

Bevan Sturgess-Smith, Investment Adviser and St Bart's Board Member, spoke on the ‘Pros and Cons of Alternative Options for Financing Beyond Grants', and highlighted opportunities to consider social impact bonds and more innovative methods of financing.   He also noted that investment advisers needed more education and encouragement to offer philanthropic advice.

Media references

Heather Merritt
Director, External Relations
UWA Business School
T: +618 6488 8171
M: 0419 950 027
E: [email protected]

Sonia Nolan
Community Engagement and Corporate Affairs Manager
UWA Business School
T: 6488 7586
E: [email protected]