| Ebenezer Homes Supported Accommodation Service |
| Years of Operation | By 1971, Ebenezer Homes had been in existence for some time. It continues to operate. |
| Role Of Facility | In the 1970s, and possibly earlier, Ebenezer Home in Tuart Hill was providing board for Aboriginal students.
Alternative accommodation service. Described in 1995 as providing emergency accommodation and support for up to 18 young women, with Aboriginal women as a priority.
Described in 2001 as providing supported crisis and medium term accommodation for young people between the ages of 15 and 25 years who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. |
| Sponsoring Agency | Previously, Ebenezer Homes Incorporated.
Currently, Aboriginal Evangelical Fellowship Family and Youth Services Inc. |
| Brief History | “Ebenezer Homes in Tuart Hill is another example of an independent and privately run boarding scheme [for young people from Indigenous backgrounds], operated by church people with very strong religious convictions.” It was reported in 1971 that this facility had “minimal contact with the Department” of Native Welfare because Ebenezer Homes either found “Departmental policy completely incompatible with their own goals, or do not wish to accept financial support at the expense of autonomy of action.” Wilson and Robinson (1971) Aboriginal Hostels in Perth: A Comparative Survey
Funding for this service was originally provided through the Youth Supported Accommodation Program, which was a sub-program of the Commonwealth/State funded Supported Accommodation Assistance Programme (SAAP). From 2009, funding continues to be provided through the National Affordable Housing Agreement (NAHA). [For notes on this program see the section on NAHA/SAAP at the beginning of Signposts].
The Balcatta facility was described in 1989 as a service for up to five culturally-dislocated Aboriginal females under 25 years, providing short to medium term accommodation in a normal suburban house with live-in workers.
In 1995, Ebenezer Home’s Funding Agreement with the Department outlined the purpose of the funded services, the service objectives and performance indicators:
The purpose of the service was “to provide accommodation and support to help bring back the self-esteem of young women (with Aboriginal women as a priority) in an endeavour to lead them towards living independently.”
Service Objectives:
“Young women requesting assistance have secure and appropriate accommodation.
Young women requesting assistance have their needs met.
Young women are assisted to move to independent living or other stable accommodation.
Young women re-enter (or continue within) the school system or are employed in the workforce.” (Funding Agreement between Ebenezer Homes Inc and Family and Children’s Services 1995, as reported in the Out of Home, Preventative and Alternative Care Services Review, “Terms of Reference”, Family and Children’s Services, 1995).
Described in 2002 as providing crisis and transitional accommodation in houses in the Mirrabooka Region.
Crisis accommodation for 5 young people in a house in Girrawheen. Transitional accommodation for up to 8 young people in two houses in Marangaroo and Balga. The service is culturally appropriate for Aboriginal young people, but is accessible for all young people.
The service activities included supported accommodation, assessment and referral, brokerage, outreach, mediation, counselling, advocacy, support planning with achievable goals and assistance to access other services. (Service Agreement with the Department for Child Protection). |
| Records | It is possible that early residents at Ebenezer Homes also had files held by the Department of Native Welfare. The Department for Child Protection should be contacted as they may be able to locate these records or refer enquirers to their Link-Up Service. |
| Contact Details | Freedom of Information
Department of Communities
Locked Bag 5000, Fremantle WA 6959
Telephone: (08) 6414 3344
Country free call: 1800 176 888
Email: foi@communities.wa.gov.au
Website: www.communities.wa.gov.au |
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