Shire President to Join Panel to End Homelessness
Shire President Julia Meldrum will join a panel of Western Australia’s leading change-makers to explore the necessary steps to end homelessness.
The panel has been assembled by Shelter WA during national Homelessness Week, an annual week dedicated to raising awareness and finding solutions to homelessness which runs from August 5 to 9th 2024.
Shire President Julia Meldrum said she was looking forward to presenting a regional perspective to the panel which will consist of representatives from Architecture, Planning, Tenant Advocacy, Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations and Health as well as people with lived experience.
“Augusta-Margaret River is perceived to be a rich or affluent region, but the reality is quite different for some of our community members,” she said. “Within the Shire, we currently have around 150 people homeless and another 600 on the brink of homelessness and experiencing real financial stress.”
Shire President Julia Meldrum said the panel will discuss actions to end homelessness, which is more prevalent than most people realise.
"Homelessness is often hidden and we’re told around Australia, only 9% of homeless people sleep on the streets1. I think a lot of people would be surprised how many individuals and families in our community - due to varying circumstances - are being forced to couch surf or sleeping in their cars.”
To combat homelessness and associated issues the Shire of Augusta-Margaret River has already been actively lobbying the State Government, and Shire representatives joined other local community groups to provide feedback to the WA Council of Social Services recently.
“Access to secure housing is crucial for the wellbeing of everyone in our community, but housing alone isn't the answer. Our residents should be able to access local based support services because not everyone has the means to travel to Bunbury to get the support they need."
Shelter WA’s is Western Australia’s peak body working to advocate solutions to housing need and homelessness. Their Homelessness Action Now Panel will meet in Perth in on 9th August 2024 and will be moderated by Shelter WA Chair Kieran Wong, who is also Principal at The Fulcrum Agency, Board Member of Communicare and White Ribbon Australia, and himself an eminent architect, designer, and advocate for community-led projects
1. Source