Stakeholders are questioning whether the state government is serious about tackling rising homelessness in Augusta-Margaret River County following news that local agency Just Home will end its placement service at the end of next month.
The news comes as Housing Minister John Carey’s office announced a record investment in homelessness services – although all of the south-west’s services are based in Bunbury and Busselton.
Government sources said Just Home had not been considered for any state government rescue package because it was not seen as a central service provider.
The nonprofit itself told the Times that volunteers have observed increasing numbers of residents turning to the advocacy group for advice as rental housing availability has dropped to historic lows.
Responding to questions from the Times, a spokesman said the state government’s investment in housing and tackling homelessness had reached “a record $3.2 billion” since 2021-22.
However, since 2021, no new homes have been completed in the county and no social housing has been purchased directly.
In addition, the minister’s office pointed to $3.65 million in funding for homelessness services in the south-west, including Centrecare, Lamp Inc. and Accordwest in Busselton and Bunbury.
Naomi Godden, chair of Just Home, said funding for homeless services was “far too limited to make a tangible difference to our community”.
“None of the south-west based services receiving these funds are located in Margaret River or Augusta and none of them have sufficient capacity to adequately support residents here,” Dr Godden said.
“Unfortunately, the state government’s investments in social and affordable housing and homelessness initiatives are far from sufficient to provide equitable, safe and affordable housing for the residents of Augusta-Margaret River County.”
Mr Carey found himself in the spotlight after district leaders took the initiative in May and asked him directly for help, as the region had a large backlog of new home construction and was considered a wealthy region that did not struggle with housing problems, unlike other parts of Western Australia.
To fill this gap, the Just Home information and referral service was launched seven years ago, but a continued lack of support from the state government led to the closure of the service, Dr Godden said.
“Despite our county’s significant economic contribution to the state, not a single dollar of that $3.65 million will be invested in our county’s urgent and growing housing crisis,” she said.
“The five new social housing units currently being built in Margaret River were committed by the Western Australian Government several years ago. This is not a new investment.
“Augusta-Margaret River’s housing needs have been essentially ignored by the state government.”
A social housing project coordinated by affordable housing provider My Home and linked to Just Home and the Rotary Club of Margaret River also received no ministerial mention because it had not yet received funding from the state government despite being in the planning phase for three years.