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Help for homeless amid COVID-19 crisis

Indiana LysaghttKalgoorlie Miner
Member for mining and pastoral Kyle McGinn.
Camera IconMember for mining and pastoral Kyle McGinn. Credit: Tori O'Connor

Kalgoorlie-Boulder community groups are working with the State Government to establish support for the city’s “rough sleepers” as the global coronavirus crisis continues to bite.

The COVID-19 crisis has posed another threat to those sleeping on the streets without access to food, shelter and basic hygiene.

Labor State Member for the Mining and Pastoral Region Kyle McGinn said local community groups were working with the State to establish support for the most vulnerable members of the community — “rough sleepers”.

“We are very conscious that there are a number of cohorts in our community that are more vulnerable to COVID-19,” he said.

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“The Department of Communities recognised this and has established a taskforce to address homelessness and consider the immediate risks faced by not only people experiencing or at risk of homelessness, but the sector that supports them.

This includes consideration of health advice and what additional resources are needed to respond to COVID-19.”

Mr McGinn said community services in Kalgoorlie-Boulder were already communicating and supporting those at risk during the pandemic — the task force will simply offer State assistance.

“State Government contract managers have been asked to work with community service providers to support them in maintaining critical services to vulnerable people and putting safety checks in place so they are complying with health advice,” he said.

“On a local level we have supplied soap and hand sanitiser to the Goldfields Aboriginal Language Centre to help with hygiene.

“And in unity with (Liberal State Member for Kalgoorlie Kyran O’Donnell’s) office we have been collecting Foodbank donations to ensure those who are at risk and need it most have access to food.”

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