Margaret River homelessness organisation urges rough-sleepers to come forward for data-driven change

Margaret River is gearing up for its first instalment of Connections Week, an initiative to advocate for homelessness support in the region.

Led by local homelessness advocacy organisation, Just Home Margaret River, the community-wide initiative aims to bring homelessness into the public eye.

It will also seek to collect valuable data to bring to the State Government, helping an appeal for social housing and other wrap around services in the region.

A dedicated Community Hub will be open on March 5 and 6 at the Margaret River Community Centre to help those experiencing homelessness, and offer access to support services including legal advice, income and healthcare support, housing assistance and ID clinics.

Food and emergency relief packs will also be available.

Deputy shire president Tracey Muir said the data collected will go a long way in campaigning for better facilities for those experiencing homelessness.

“It’s not just about filling in a survey, it’s about getting a place of connection,” she said.

“It’s about going to the Department of Communities and saying ‘this is the number of people who we’ve got who don’t have homes.

“We’ve identified land where there needs to be development and housing, and we’re trying as hard as we can to get that funding to ensure we can get social housing. Without the data, we can’t put forward our case.”

Cr Muir said homelessness support should extend further south.

“We have a whole community here who deserves access to services and infrastructure. We would like the State Government to acknowledge that services shouldn’t end in Bunbury,” she said.

Just Home spokesperson, Alice Marshall said Connections Week is a vital step in ensuring regional areas can access wrap around services.

“Homelessness is not someone else’s problem, it’s a community issue, and everyone has a role to play in addressing it,” she said.

“If you, or someone you know, is experiencing homelessness, we encourage you to be counted and if you are not — help us spread the word about Connections Week by talking to your friends and colleagues about it, or join us as a volunteer. There are so many ways you can help.”

Connections Week service access is set to kick off on Thursday March 5 at the Margaret River Community Connection Centre.