$8 million to help elderly people with disabilities in Qld

Minister for Ageing, Justine Elliot, and Queensland Disability Services Minister, Annastacia Palaszczuk, announced $8.9 million for Home and Community Care (HACC) services in Queensland.

Minister Elliot and Member for Brisbane, Arch Bevis, announced the funding yesterday during a visit to the ‘Footprints in Brisbane’ service in Teneriffe which provides community-based support for older people who are homeless, people with disabilities and people with mental illness in Brisbane’s northern suburbs.

Minister Elliot said, “HACC Homeless Support Services are designed for people who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless, providing support and maintenance services”.

The organisation will receive an additional $245,960 to support more clients who are homeless, at risk of homelessness or are in insecure housing.

“Homeless older Australians often have complex health needs and the HACC Homeless Support Services are designed to help connect disadvantaged people to the services that they need, to provide practical help and assistance,” Minister Elliot said.

The Rudd Government contributed almost $5.75 million and the Queensland government contributed more than $3.14 million in funding for this package. During 2009-10, $429 million is allocated to the HACC program in Queensland – an increase of more than 11% on last year.

Minister Palaszczuk said, “More than 163,000 people in Queensland benefited from home and community care services last financial year.

“This funding will also help those who want to remain independent for as long as possible.

“Home and Community Care services provide the practical assistance that many older Australians need to complete day-to-day tasks.

“I’ve seen the benefits this program delivers. It makes a real difference to the lives of people in our community who need help with everyday living,” Minister Palaszczuk said.

Member for Brisbane Arch Bevis said, “Services like Footprints in Brisbane make a big difference to the most vulnerable people in our community.

“I am delighted this service will be able to provide more services to more people who really need them in our area.

“The homeless and those at risk of becoming homeless don’t – or are unable to – access aged care services and support at the same levels as the rest of the community. Today’s funding will help improve access to these and other essential services,” Mr Bevis said.

Other Queensland services to receive funding in this package include:

• $190,122 – ALANI to support additional domestic assistance, social support and centre-based day care in the Inala, Mount Gravatt and Coorparoo areas;
• $373,876 – Jymbilung House Aged and Disabled Care Services to support additional domestic assistance, home maintenance, centre-based day care, transport and social support in the Beaudesert area; and
• $146,595 – Kowanyama Aged Care Centre to support social support and transport services in the Cape York area.

This year, $1.9 billion in funding will be provided for HACC services nationally, including an almost $1.2 billion contribution by the Rudd Government.