#HW2023 | Media Release: A focus on solutions
In Western Australia there are almost 10,000 people experiencing homelessness on any given night.
Shelter WA hosts Homelessness Week annually, a national event occurring the first week of August, to shine a light and showcase solutions to ending homelessness.
This year explores the theme “It’s time to end homelessness” and shines a spotlight on the regions.
A Focus on Solutions
Shelter WA CEO Kath Snell said she was really proud of the official program this year showcasing many recent, innovative and successful initiatives making an active difference.
“This includes the Wungening Aboriginal Corporation’s Boorloo Bidee Mia Program, Housing Choices WA’s Supportive Landlord Pilot Program, and the incredible work of the WA Alliance to End Homelessness Advance to Zero project”, Shelter WA CEO Kath Snell said.”
Community Grants to End Homelessness
“This year we also really wanted to shine a spotlight on solutions being put forward in local communities across the state.
“We did things a little differently this year by making the decision to secure funding for a grant round that local communities could use to tackle the issues and support solutions unique to their own area.
“Across the entire state from Derby to Albany!”
“Shelter WA secured $60,000 total funding through Lotterywest and awarded $40,000 to 15 regional projects and $20,000 for 6 metro projects to be held during Homelessness Week. That’s 21 community-led solutions focused projects running across the entire state from Derby to Albany!
[L-R] Hon. John Carey MLA, Minister for Homelessness and Kath Snell, Shelter WA CEO.
These events include:
- A Cookout and Solutions Workshop in Albany
- A huge friendly Foreshore event in Mandurah
- A CEO Sleepout in Carnarvon
- A Community Quiz and Lunch in Geraldton
- A Jobs Expo for young people at risk in Perth
- The “Grow and Grind” social enterprise coffee van, run by people with lived experience
- A huge ‘One Stop Hub’ bringing together 72 services in Perth’s northern suburbs
- A full day BBQ in South Hedland
- A Community movie night in Derby
- A Housing and Support services Expo in Karratha
- An Art Exhibition and Community Solutions Workshop in Rockingham; and
- A Concert and Fundraiser for the incredible ‘Just Home’ program in Margaret River
The grants also supported significant initiatives beyond Homelessness Week, including the trial of a second Street Doctor clinic in Bentley, adding capacity to the Advance to Zero project in Rockingham and Mandurah, and contributing to a new By-Name List in Kalgoorlie.
Reporting Back
“We’re looking forward to hearing back from all of the community events at our closing showcase event on Friday, where everyone across the regions will be reporting back on the events they held and solutions they’ll be putting forward,” Ms Snell said.
“We commend the WA Government’s goal to end rough sleeping”
“My strong hope is this years’ Homelessness Week events provide positive stories and examples of how communities are working together to end homelessness.
“We commend the WA Government’s goal to end rough sleeping by 2025, and the exceptional new initiatives Minister Carey has launched to meet this goal, such as the Supportive Landlord pilot program.
“But we have a way to go, with many homelessness services operating well beyond capacity and at breaking point and turning away a record number of people. We also need to tackle this in a holistic way – looking at prevention and diversion programs to prevent people entering into homelessness, especially from the private rental market.
“Shelter WA’s will continue strongly advocate for a significant funding boost for homelessness services, and a dedicated rent relief program to stem the flow of people into homelessness from the extremely tight rental market.
“We know anything is possible – and it’s time to end homelessness”
“We are so proud of the tireless work our members do on the frontline. Working together, we know anything is possible – and it’s time to end homelessness,” Ms Snell concluded.
Homelessness Week Program
Homelessness Week runs from Monday, 7 to 11 August. A list of events can be viewed.
Fast Facts
- There are currently 9,729 people are currently experiencing homelessness in WA, an 8 per cent increase from the last census in 2016.
[Source ABS 2021]
- Since the last census in 2016, the number of people sleeping rough in WA has more than doubled.
[Source ABS data released in 2023 & Shelter WA media release]
- On any given day, over 4,700 people access specialise homelessness services across Western Australia.
[Source: AIHW 2022]
- There are 19,081 households (that’s 33,987 people) on WA’s social housing waitlist, including 4,486 priority applicants.
[At May 2023, source: Department of Communities]
