“Homelessness can happen to anyone,” WestAus Crisis team member Jackie Kernachan said.
WestAus Crisis together with more than 30 service providers in the Peel region will put homelessness in the spotlight on August 3 for Homeless Awareness Day.
The day-long event started as a small awareness campaign almost a decade ago with a single information marquee and a small gas burner to prepare a free cup of tea.
Ten years later, the event has grown to become the biggest homelessness awareness event outside of the metropolitan area, featuring more than 30 service providers, live entertainment, freebies, food and plenty of information.
The main goal of the event is to raise awareness among the general population about issues surrounding homelessness and to link people in need with the different services available.
Mr Kernachan said Homeless Awareness Day was the perfect opportunity to break down widespread misconceptions surrounding homelessness in the region.
She said most people believed homeless people were only those sleeping rough, however she said the majority of individuals experiencing homelessness weren’t sleeping outside in a swag.
“Many are residing with relatives, friends, acquaintances, in shelters, transitional housing, couch surfing, camping, sleeping in cars, in sheds or other improvised dwellings,” she said.
“Not all individuals experiencing homelessness are visible.”
Data collected by Homelessness Australia shows that out of nearly 10,000 people experiencing homelessness in Western Australia only 927 people are sleeping rough.
The main cause of homelessness is domestic violence and relationship issues, followed by financial difficulties and accommodation issues such as the housing crisis or inadequate homes.
The organisation also estimates that 15.6 per cent of homeless people are under the age of 12, followed by people aged between 25 and 34.
Ms Kernachan said WestAus Crisis had also recently seen an increase in single dads experiencing homelessness in the Mandurah and Peel regions, fighting to find alternative accommodation for themselves and their children.
She said events such as Homelessness Awareness Day were important to highlight the plight of homelessness and broaden people’s views on the issue.
This year’s event will include free clothing, blankets, toiletries and food up for grabs, live music and entertainment, a hairdresser, arts and crafts workshops and plenty of giveaways.
Local artist Helen Coleman will be creating an art installation with messages about what homelessness means to local residents and Passages will be running Mandurah’s first couch race.
Attendees will also have the opportunity to catch up with local organistions and Centrelink workers on the day.
Good Samaritans welcome to help
Local organisations have put a call-out to people who wish to donate warm clothing and blankets on the day. The items, which should be new or nearly new, will be collected by service providers.
The Coast FM van will also be collecting food donations.
The event will start at 9am on August 3 and will run until 2pm.
Ms Kernachan invited Mandurah residents to come along and enjoy the community event, even if they haven’t been touched directly by homelessness.
“Everyone is welcome,” she said.