Bunbury City council unanimously accepts emergency funding to fight ‘perfect storm’ of homeless crisis

The City of Bunbury council has unanimously voted to request support from the State Government to provide a temporary emergency shelter to cope with the growing homeless and housing crisis. During Tuesday night’s council meeting, the City of Bunbury supported a motion put forward by Cr Gabi Ghasseb advocating for the emergency homeless shelter. During the meeting, the council received three deputations from members of the Bunbury Addressing Homelessness Working Group who see firsthand how the cost-of-living crisis is putting families under stress. Acting secretary of the working group Dr Jane Anderson said the shelter was urgently needed to combat the incoming homeless crisis. “Right now we have a perfect storm of soaring rents, rock-bottom vacancy rates and a cost-of-living crisis which is plunging more and more people into distress,” she said. “It is the working poor and middle-income FIFO workers who are finding it harder to find rentals. “What is required is a temporary response to cope with the sheer numbers that require shelter.” Member Ingrid Hilario said councils needed to acknowledge the vast majority of people struggling with homelessness do not fit the stereotypical mould. “The cohort of new homeless is growing — there are families living in cars, women running from abuse. Women over 55 are the fastest growing group here,” she said. “Public housing is so scarce . . . the average wait time for public housing was 149 weeks. “Bunbury needs a shelter, now.” Jonathan, who is currently sleeping rough, said the shelter would provide services beyond a place to sleep. “The shelter will offer an avenue of support . . . a place for mothers to keep their children safe while they work a night shift if they have to,” he said. “Once you’re stressed . . . your health starts to diminish, just having some place to stay helps with that stress.” Cr Ben Andrews, who seconded the motion, took his time to ask for more awareness surrounding the issue and encouraged other councils to do the same. The motion was carried unanimously, with no council member speaking against.