#HW2023 | It’s time to end homelessness – Metropolitan Spotlight

Shelter WA was proud to host this year’s Homelessness Week, a national annual event occurring the first week of August 2023.

This year, Shelter WA did things a little differently.

We made the decision to secure funding for a grants round that local communities in the regions and metro area could apply for, for local communities to showcase the issues and solutions in their own area. Shelter WA were proud to secure $60,000 total funding through Lotterywest and have awarded $40,000 to 15 regional projects and $20,000 for six metro projects.

Grow & Grind: Working Towards Change Event (Various Locations)

55 Central’s Grow & Grind coffee van made a huge splash across St Pat’s, Uniting WA Tranby Engagement Hub and Ruah Engagement Hub.

As well as great coffee, the van provides on-the-job training and employment for people who need a hand up.

Watch this ABC News Perth story here

Marangaroo

No Limits Perth, in collaboration with the Hepburn Centre, OzHarvest, Applied Security Force, Drovers Vet, Wanneroo Rotary Club & Positive Spin offered a multitude of services over three days.

From free clothing to food hampers, pet supplies and RSPCA vet checks this event had it all. People experiencing homelessness were able to apply for Health Cards/Medicare Cards and income statements to assist with banking and other government agencies.

Rockingham

The City of Rockingham event was held at the Salvation Army. There were multiple services set up around the different spaces of the building along with the ice cream and coffee trucks, Orange Sky Laundry and the Freo Steet Dr parked outside. Lunch was provided and there was an exhibition of art works as part of the Lived Experience Art Project. Other activities included a play area for children and a quiet zone. The Op Shop was open and bread and other goods were available for people to take as needed.

St Pat’s was there, they said the event was fantastic, they filled out several VI-SPDAT’s and added people to the By-Name List.

The Housing Authority said it was a great event, they helped people to complete housing applications and to check they were still listed on the waiting list with their latest contact details.

Chris, a local person who has attended these events over the past few years said that the numbers were higher than last year and that it included a lot of people who are housed but are at risk of eviction due to the cost of living. He said it was great that the services at the event could help people who are housed by helping out with bills and financial counselling, as well as helping people who are homeless. He said a lot of people who are housed don’t know about services and this event is great for them.

Perth City

The Passages Homelessness Week Mini Job Expo aims to bridge the gap between possibility and opportunity for young people who are at risk of homelessness.

The event had a lovely atmosphere and a wide range of food available and the Grow and Grind folks were brewing up a storm.

There were a range of job and career stalls that the young people could visit to chat, hand in their resumes, find out more and get some flyers and free goodies. The Passages Youth Workers were also available to liaise with the stall holders if the young person was not yet comfortable or in a position to chat directly or hand in their resumes.

Stalls included: Bunnings, Grill’d, Compass/CEDEXO FIFO, Repco, Nudge and Apprenticeship Support Australia.