Activists and advocates take to the streets demanding a shelter in Bunbury concluding homelessness week

Homelessness advocates stepped out at the weekend calling for a shelter for rough sleepers as National Homelessness Week came to an end. Bunbury Addressing Homelessness Working Group spokesperson Jane Anderson said the message shared on Sunday during the rally was two-fold. “To stand alongside homeless people who are doing it tough and to send a message to the State Government that we urgently need a homeless shelter in Bunbury,” Ms Anderson said. “People from all walks of life took part — for some it was the first time that they had participated in such an event. “Their participation is a measure of the genuine concern in our community about homelessness. “Such events enable people to come together to advocate for something better for the vulnerable in our community.” During the rally, Ms Anderson spoke to attendees about the call to convert a decommissioned fire station in Bunbury where they held the gathering. “For nearly eight years, this decommissioned fire station has remained vacant and over that time, it has been obvious to many that this facility should be repurposed as a shelter,” Ms Anderson said. “In 2020, the South West Development Commission identified that this vacant building could provide shelter for 20-30 people.” About 70 people attended the rally and the advocacy group said it would continue to hold the vigil members had been doing for the past year outside Bunbury MLA Don Punch’s office.