Broome Aboriginal short stay operator, MercyCare, calls for more investment in regional homelessness services

MercyCare, which operates Aboriginal short stay accommodation facilities in Broome and Derby, is calling for increased investment in homelessness services as homelessness rates continue to rise.

MercyCare general manager of youth and homelessness services Suzanne Caren said regional WA was being left behind.

“While Perth’s homelessness challenges receive significant attention and resources, regional Western Australia is facing a crisis that’s proportionally more than double the metropolitan rate,” she said.

“For every homeless person you see in Perth, there are two more struggling in regional WA and most people don’t even know they exist.”

According to statistics from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 49 per cent of homeless people in WA were from regional areas despite representing only 21 per cent of the population.

Some 26 per cent were from remote or very remote areas with 50 per cent identifying as Aboriginal.

“These aren’t just statistics, they represent thousands of Western Australians, many of them families with children, who are struggling to find safe, appropriate accommodation,” said Ms Caren.

“The disparity between regional and metropolitan service provision is stark and unsustainable. We need urgent action to expand services in regional areas, particularly culturally safe options for Aboriginal communities.

“Every Western Australian deserves access to safe, appropriate housing, regardless of where they live.”

In WA the median length of support is 31 days, compared with 58 days nationally while the median number of nights accommodated was eight, compared with 33 nationally.

However, overall 45 per cent of WA clients received accommodation, compared with 29 per cent nationally.

MercyCare facilities in Broome, Derby and Kalgoorlie provide accommodation for rough sleepers for up to 28 days helping people travelling to the regional centres for medical appointments, training, cultural events, or family gatherings.

Without the facilities such journeys often result in people sleeping on the street or in overcrowded homes.

“Our facilities aren’t just about providing a bed for the night,” said Ms Caren.

“We’re addressing the root causes by connecting guests with Aboriginal support workers who help them access essential services like health care, employment support and family services.”

Rates run from $30 per night or $195 per week for adults and $15 per night or $83 per week for children, with discounts for Health Care Card holders and reduced rates for larger families.

WA now has the highest proportion in Australia of people sleeping rough, with the number of people sleeping rough doubling over the past five years, while overall homelessness has risen 8 per cent since 2016.

The calls come as the country observes Homelessness Week which runs from August 4 to 10.