Office of Homelessness

The Office of Homelessness has been established by the Department of Communities with the aim of achieving better outcomes for people experiencing, or at risk of, homelessness.
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Overview

The Department of Communities established the Office of Homelessness in early 2022 to provide a dedicated focus on the stewardship, coordination, strategic planning, and practices relating to homelessness.

Homelessness is a complex social issue and our community is concerned about these highly vulnerable people, especially those experiencing the most acute forms of chronic homelessness and rough sleeping.

Reducing the number of people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness is a priority for the State Government with all activity and investment being guided by All Paths Lead to a Home: Western Australia's 10-Year Strategy on Homelessness 2020-2030 (the Strategy).

To progress the priorities of the Strategy and improve accountability and transparency, a Ministerial Homelessness portfolio was created in 2022 to collectively achieve better outcomes for people experiencing, or a risk of homelessness.

To break the cycle of homelessness requires collaboration across state and local governments, community organisations including Aboriginal organisations and elders, to ensure there is adequate housing, appropriate health services and other support services.

The Department of Communities invests more than $100 million in specialist services and programs for people experiencing homelessness each year. These funded services range from accommodation to life essentials and specialist support.

The State Government is aware of the challenges created by current housing market pressures and is working hard to support those affected, investing $2.4 billion over four years, to improve the quality and accessibility of social housing and homelessness services in the State.

Aerial photo of Australian suburban streets

Djuripiny Mia

The Djuripiny Mia program is delivered in partnership with Housing Choices WA. Up to 100 homes will be added through spot purchasing or new builds across the Perth metropolitan area and the South-West for people who are sleeping rough or experiencing homelessness.
photo of the outside of a accommodation service for homeless people

Wandjoo Bidi

Formerly known as the Murray Hotel in West Perth, Wandjoo Bidi provides low-barrier, supported accommodation for up to 35 people who are experiencing rough sleeping. Wandjoo Bidi provides a boost to existing low-barrier accommodation for rough sleepers including Koort Boodja and Boorloo Bidee Mia.
Aerial view of suburbs

All Paths Lead to a Home: Western Australia’s 10-Year Strategy on Homelessness 2020-2030

Reducing the number of people who are homelessness or a risk of homelessness is a priority for the State Government with activity and investment guided by the All Paths Lead to a Home: Western Australia’s 10-Year Strategy on Homelessness 2020-2030.
Illustration depicting a woman thinking of a home, standing on keys with a key tag reading "my place"

Housing First Homelessness Initiative

Housing First Homelessness Initiative provides wrap around support and links people sleeping rough in the Perth Metropolitan Area, Rockingham/Mandurah, Bunbury and Geraldton to accommodation.
group photo of a group of staff who are the Geraldton Rough Sleeper Coordination Group

Regional Supportive Landlord Model

On 1 May 2023, the State Government announced the Regional Supportive Landlord Model (RSLM). The RSLM will deliver up to 100 social homes in regional locations for people sleeping rough or experiencing chronic homelessness.
Group of people meeting

Housing First Homelessness Advisory Group

The Housing First Homelessness Advisory Group provides regular and practical advice to the Minister for Homelessness and Department of Communities to progress strategy implementation and Housing First approaches across the homelessness system, remove barriers and identify reform ideas.
Illustration with a variety of family groups in front of an apartment complex and individual houses.

Common Ground

Two Common Ground sites in East Perth and Mandurah will provide permanent supported housing for people who are sleeping rough or experiencing ongoing homelessness, rough sleeping and/or are earning a low income.
Boorloo Bidee Mia logo.

Boorloo Bidee Mia

The WA Government’s supported accommodation in the Perth CBD for people sleeping rough. Boorloo Bidee Mia is the first low barrier homelessness service of its kind, offering culturally supportive accommodation for some of the most complex individuals, with many experiencing long-term homelessness.
Members of the Homeless Engagement Assessment Response Team (HEART) from St Patricks Community Support Centre, Wungening Aboriginal Corporation, Uniting WA.

Homelessness Engagement Assessment Response Team (HEART) and the Safe Perth City Initiative

HEART provides rapid, flexible outreach and intensive supports primarily for people who are chronic rough sleepers. Safe Perth City Initiative which provides outreach services for those sleeping rough and co-ordinates service delivery and multi-agency responses.
House in suburban area

Homelessness Commissioning Plan

Communities' Office of Homelessness has established a commissioning plan to further transition the homelessness service system to a more integrated place-based person-centred approach. We've also established a Commissioning Reference Group to guide the implementation of the commissioning plan.
Close-up of hands using smartphone

Online Homelessness Services Portal

$2.25 million for the design and development of an Online Homelessness Services Portal to improve visibility and access to accommodation and other services for people sleeping rough and experiencing homelessness.

Announcements

Artists impression of Common Ground Mandurah, featuring a housing development and on the street there are pedestrians, bikes and cars
News story

Mandurah Common Ground reaches new milestone

WA’s second Common Ground facility, Mandurah Common Ground, has reached a major milestone, with confirmation of Atlas Building Pty Ltd (Atlas) as the building contractor to deliver the 50-unit, 5-storey complex.
Image that has the Department of Communities logo and this text: Registration of Interest open
News story

ROI open to deliver more homelessness support for Albany

A Registration of Interest (ROI) for community services to deliver Housing First Support Services (HFSS) to assist people experiencing, or at risk of experiencing, homelessness in Albany is now open.

If you are experiencing homelessness or are at risk of becoming homeless, visit the Homelessness services and housing options page.

Minister for Homelessness

Hon John Carey BA(Hons) MLA

Homelessness Week

Homelessness Week is held annually across the nation to raise awareness of people experiencing homelessness. It’s also a time reflect on the collective action needed by community and all levels of government to help break the cycle of homelessness.

The Department of Communities works in partnership with Shelter WA and provides funding for sector support, development and advocacy including Homelessness Week coordination each year.

In 2024, Homelessness Week is on Monday 5 August to Sunday 11 August with the theme ‘Homelessness Action Now’.

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