FAQ

The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) states, ‘that when a person does not have suitable accommodation alternatives they are considered homeless if their current living arrangement:

• is in a dwelling that is inadequate
• has no tenure, or if their initial tenure is short and not extendable
• does not allow them to have control of, and access to space for social relations.’

The ABS acknowledges that homelessness is not just a state of being without a ‘roof’ and includes people living in:

• improvised dwellings, e.g. tents or sleeping rough
• supported accommodation, e.g. homeless refuges
• a household temporarily, e.g. couch surfing
• boarding houses
• severely crowded dwellings.

In the most recent Census held in 2016 it was estimated that 132 people in the Town were homeless, with the majority of those not living on the street but in severely crowded dwellings. The Census also indicated that some sections of the community are at greater risk of becoming homeless due to high housing costs against their income levels and employment challenges.

As the Town’s Albany Highway district has a high flow of foot traffic, some people choose to use the area to beg. Some of those who choose to beg may not have access to stable accommodation, while others may have access to housing, however they are from low income households and are at risk of becoming homeless.

Begging is not a criminal act, however, the Town works with local and outreach service providers to assist people who beg into accessing services.

Aggressive, intimidating or violent behaviour is a criminal offence. The Town encourages all who witness this type of behaviour to contact the WA Police immediately on 000. The Town is also working closely with the WA Police and Hawaiian Shopping Centres to address anti-social behaviour in East Victoria Park.

Local governments do not have the power to issue move on notices to people who beg or are sleeping rough.

There are a number of supported accommodation for the homeless services located in the Town and the City of Perth. The Ruah Centre, Tranby Centre, and Passages Youth Centre provide a range of homelessness specialist services from their locations in the City of Perth.

The community also has access to Town-based services which provide assistance with food, clothing, bills, tenancy support and financial counselling. An up to date list can be found on the Town's website. 

A printed ‘Support for You and Your Family’ brochure is also available at Town facilities and local service providers. This brochure was developed in collaboration with the Supporting People with Basic Needs network.

The Town committed to making homelessness a strategic advocacy priority in 2019 and has undertaken a number of tasks at a local and regional level to address homelessness in the community.

At a local level, the Town formed a group with representatives from the local Supporting People with Basic Needs network. Actions undertaken with this group included an audit of local services, the development of a hard copy brochure of services, the delivery of a community event for Homelessness Week and an initial review of Policy 113 Homelessness – The Town’s Role.

Additionally, the Town supported the development of a Victoria Park and Belmont Emergency Relief Network. The network, led by Star Street Uniting Church, meets quarterly to share information, discuss emerging trends and coordinate responses to providing food vouchers, transport vouchers, and bill assistance to people in need in the combined Town of Victoria Park and City of Belmont areas.

Recognising that homelessness is not isolated to the Town of Victoria Park, the Town has also been working with our inner city local government neighbours. The Town is both a member of the City Homelessness Framework Committee and the Inner City Group – Community and Social Services, where a coordinated, inner city approach to service delivery is being developed. 

During the COVID-19 crisis, the Town has:

• Donated cleaning and catering supplies, including gloves, detergent, packaging and takeaway supplies to local community organisations offering food relief during COVID-19
• Updated the Emergency Relief Support webpage to provide information on food relief, bill assistance and free financial counselling services running during COVID-19
• Held an online Community Service Provider COVID-19 Forum to explore emerging demands and support required during the crisis, and begin planning for recovery
• Shared social media posts from local community organisations delivering programs which support people in need during COVID-19 
• Reached out to Perth CBD based specialist homeless outreach services to request additional support for people sleeping rough in the Town

More information on the Town's response to date can be found on the Town's COVID-19 Information webpage.

As the tier of government closest to the community, local governments can undertake actions to support community members in need and address the underlying causes of homelessness. The following actions have been taken by various Australian local government authorities:

• maintain an up-to-date online and/or printed list of local services
• provide people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness information on local services and where to get help
• deliver community awareness raising events or activities, to educate the community on the nature and causes of homelessness, and how they can help
• advocate to other levels of government for additional funding and/or service provision in the local area
• build the capacity and support local services providers to deliver services which meet the needs of people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness in the community
• build relationships between services and assist in the development of a coordinated approach to local service delivery
• develop housing policy to encourage diversity in housing, including affordable housing options.

All levels of government play a role in supporting the needs of people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. State and federal governments play a key role in providing:

• social housing
• affordable or subsidised housing programs
• emergency, short and medium term accommodation
• funding of homelessness specialist services
• welfare support, including income support
• employment and training assistance
• health and mental health services
• services through the justice system, including the police, courts and corrective services.

There are a number of not for profit service providers located in the Town that support people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. If you would like to volunteer your time or make a donation to a local service provider, please contact them directly. A list of local service providers can be found on the Town's website.

Alternatively, for more information about how to volunteer and to browse volunteer vacancies, contact Volunteering WA.

There are a number of ways that you can share your feedback or get involved:

• Read the draft policy and other documents in the Document Library
• Provide feedback through the online submission form
• Ask a question and we will respond
• Read the FAQs for further information
• Contact the Town's Community Development Officer, Annie, on 08 9311 8111 

Feedback received will be reviewed by the project team and incorporated into the final documents where appropriate. The final draft policy will then be submitted to Council for endorsement.

1. To identify what actions and when they are to be delivered
2. To inform operational tasks and the Town’s annual budget process
3. To outline how progress against the actions in the plan will be measured

1. Representatives from the Supporting People with Basic Needs network and Town review the existing policy
2. Town internal service areas review Stage 1 feedback and provide input in the development of the implementation plan
3. Community feedback and ideas are sought through a community workshop and online survey
4. Feedback received in Stage 3 is reviewed and incorporated into a re-drafted policy and new draft implementation plan
5. The community is invited to provide feedback on the final draft policy and draft implementation plan
6. Public submissions are reviewed and incorporated into the documents where appropriate
7. The final draft documents are presented to Council at an Ordinary Council Meeting for endorsement