Despite our extensive services, St Bart’s faces significant challenges. One pressing issue is the impending closure of the Women’s Housing Service. This service, which has been providing transitional accommodation for women since 2014, is set to close at the end of June due to funding cuts. Initially funded through grants and philanthropic donations, the service received government support three years ago to continue. However, with the funding ending and no alternative site secured, the service will have to shut down.
Despite the breadth of our services, St Bart’s continues to face significant challenges — one of the most pressing being the upcoming closure of our Women’s Housing Service.
Since 2014, this service has provided vital transitional accommodation for women facing homelessness. While it was originally funded through grants and philanthropic support, government funding was secured three years ago to enable its continuation.
With the current site now earmarked for an exciting redevelopment to support greater capacity across our services, securing a new location became essential. Although a suitable site was identified, we were unable to obtain the necessary funding to purchase it and transition the service.
As a result, the Women’s Housing Service will close at the end of June. We recognise the impact this will have and are working closely with the relevant department to ensure each woman affected is supported in identifying safe and suitable options for the future.
Lena Hopkinson, St Bart’s Chief Operating Officer shared that “Unfortunately, our funding ends in June, and the government gave us notice that they weren’t going to renew that funding. We managed to find some buildings, but we did not manage to secure the funding for purchase. So unfortunately, what that means is that we will have to close the service.”
Ms Hopkinson was recently a guest on Sonshine 98.5 FM morning program- Table Talk with Doug.
Listen to the full interview.
How You Can Help.
St Bart’s relies heavily on community support and we encourage you to get involved.
- Volunteering: St Bart’s welcomes volunteers to assist with various aspects of our operations. Any time that you can spare to lend a hand is highly valued.
- Donations: Financial contributions and donations of goods are always appreciated. If St Bart’s cannot use the items, we will refer you to partner organisations that can.
Learn more about how you can Get Involved.
St Bart’s acknowledges the traditional custodians of the land that we live and work on, the Whadjuk people of the Noongar nation. We are privileged to work with, and alongside, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and we pay our respects to Elders past, present and encourage those who are emerging as leaders.
St Bart’s is committed to diversity and inclusion in all its forms. We welcome and support the health and wellbeing of all people, regardless of background, age, ethnicity, religion and gender identity.