Homelessness in Bunbury still on the rise as lack of housing, cost of living continues to bite

The number of homeless people in Bunbury has skyrocketed over the past two years to almost 100 and is unlikely to improve any time soon, according to support groups. Shelter WA has revealed there are now 97 people classified as homeless compared to 64 in 2021 with 37 in interim accommodation compared to 15 two years ago. Bunbury’s homelessness issue was thrust into the spotlight last month when the city made headlines around the world for playing music 24/7 at the Graham Bricknell Memorial Music Shell, a popular shelter for rough sleepers. While the music has now stopped, a shortage of houses and ever worsening living costs mean the issue will be a difficult one to fix. Accordwest chief executive officer Evan Nunn said the issue was a long lasting one that would take a coordinated effort from local, State and Federal bodies. “One of those strategies is obviously to have housing which is appropriate for those people in a short to medium term that they call emergency housing or transitional housing versus long run permanent housing,” he said. “The problem with providing permanent housing has obviously been one where construction constraints, funding and the commercial reality of providing that housing at affordable rates for people who are disadvantaged and don’t have a means. “It’s just not provided because there’s a shortage even in the commercial rental market.” Despite the initiative’s success, Mr Nunn thinks there’s a risk those who need help will stop looking for it. “I think there’s been a long period of time where they can’t be assisted and we’re in danger of a situation where they don’t even bother coming to us because they know they can’t be assisted,” he said. “That’s potentially fatigue in trying to go to a system that doesn’t work.” Legislation has also come through with the Federal Government’s passing of the $10 billion Housing Australia Future Fund Bill, designed to provided more affordable housing for those in need. Bunbury MLA Don Punch said while work was being done to help rough sleepers it was a complicated fix. “There are a range of homelessness services available in Bunbury, including Outreach and a rough sleeper coordination group, I’d like to thank all the agencies and volunteers who play such an important role assisting rough sleepers in the community,” he said. “There are funded programs within Bunbury that provide a case management service for rough sleepers and many rough sleepers have been moved into accommodation from this program.”