Community Bank and Stan Perron Foundation funding helps secure Palmerston, Pioneer Health outreach program

After-hours primary care for homeless people in Albany is set to continue after funding to maintain the Homelessness Access Program was confirmed.

The WA Primary Health Alliance is providing the bulk of the money, but the Community Bank Albany has chipped in $80,000 to expand the service in Albany over the next 12 months.

The Stan Perron Foundation has contributed $90,000 over 18 months to enable the program to reach Denmark for the first time.

The program is delivered by Palmerston in partnership with Pioneer Health and provides access to health care, outreach services and advocacy to help people who are either at risk of, or experiencing, homelessness.

Since starting in June 2025, the program has helped people into stable housing and connected vulnerable clients with healthcare services.

Palmerston chief executive Emma Jarvis said the After Hours Primary Health Care — Homelessness Access Program was key to improving the lives of homeless people in the city.

“This funding provides certainty for a service that is making a real difference in the lives of people experiencing homelessness in Albany,” she said.

“By meeting people where they are, we are able to build trust, improve health outcomes and connect them with the support they need.

“This program is successful because of the strong partnerships behind it.

“We are grateful to Albany & Regional Volunteer Service and the Breakfast in the Park initiative, whose support helps us connect with people who may otherwise miss out on the help they need.”

Breakfast in the Park is a weekly free community food relief program run by the service.

Other practical areas the program provides include clinical care, including wound management and health advice, help with accessing bulk-billed GP services, free GP clinics, and support for those who need help with identification or Centrelink.

A spokesperson for Albany Community Bank said the program aligned with the bank’s focus.

“This investment strengthens collaboration, capability and community participation across every priority of our community impact strategy,” they said.

“We know that complex issues such as homelessness cannot be solved by one organisation alone.

“By supporting partnerships like the Homelessness Access Program, we’re helping connect health, housing and community services to achieve better outcomes for people who need them most.

“Our success isn’t measured by the dollars we invest, but by the difference those investments make in people’s lives and in the strength and resilience of our community.”