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Homelessness in the City of Melville

Support Services

There are many support services available.

Crisis Care

Crisis Care is a telephone information and counselling service that operates 24 hours, 7 days a week, for people in crisis needing urgent help. Crisis Care can assist when someone needs help to sort out a serious problem, is concerned about the wellbeing of a child, is escaping domestic violence, is homeless, and/or needs counselling, information or other support. 

  • Phone: 1800 199 008 (free call)
  • Crisis Care can also be accessed through the translating and interpreting service on 13 14 50.

For more information visit the Department of Communities website.

Entry Point  

Entry Point is a free assessment and referral service for people experiencing homelessness.

  • Monday to Friday 9.00am – 7.00pm
  • Saturdays 9.00am – 5.00pm
  • Phone: 1800 124 684 or 6496 0001

For individuals and families based in Perth, the service offers assessment of  individual circumstances on the phone or in person.

The service can:

  • provide individuals with information on accommodation and support options to increase their chances of securing accommodation
  • if eligible, provide formal referrals to specialist homelessness services and other accommodation or support options
  • set up a time for an assessment and then refer to the most eligible appropriate services
  • assess individual circumstances of people and families experiencing domestic violence and, if eligible, provide formal referrals to crisis accommodation and support options.

For more information visit Entrypoint Perth.

WA Housing Hub

The WA Housing Hub is run by Shelter WA, and provides information and a list of crisis care accommodation options.

For more information on crisis and supported accommodation visit the WA Housing Hub website.

Ask Izzy

Ask Izzy helps people who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless to find the services they need, including housing, right now and nearby.

For more information visit Ask Izzy.

St Pat’s Community Support Centre Fremantle

St Pat’s Fremantle provides free fresh cooked meals twice daily, Monday to Friday.  Fresh fruit, bread and other produce is available daily while a full grocery shop is available on-site once a week, courtesy of their partners. Breakfast is from 7.30am and Lunch is from 11.30am.

Location: 12 Queen Victoria Street Fremantle
Phone: 9430 4159

Red Cross Soup Patrol Fremantle

The Red Cross Soup Patrol Fremantle provides free evening meals every day.

Phone: 9225 8888

Locations

  • Beach St Carpak Fremantle. Open 6.00pm
  • 100 Hampton Rd (in the car bays). Open 7.00pm

Orange Sky Laundry Fremantle

Orange Sky Laundry Fremantle is a free mobile laundry service for homeless people.

Monday:

  • St Pat’s 12 Queen Victoria St. Open 7.30am – 10.30am                    
  • Pioneer Park. Open 4.30am – 7.00pm                        

Thursday:

  • South Beach, Wilson Park. Open 2.00pm – 5.00pm

Resoures to Support People at Risk of Homelessness

In partnership with Imagined Futures and local governments in Cockburn, Fremantle, the City  has developed the Accommodation, Food and Social Support Flyer. This flyer can be printed out and placed in locations where people at risk of homelessness can easily access the information.

Homelessness FAQs

Is homelessness increasing?

Yes, homelessness is increasing cross Australia, and the City of Melville is no exception. The Australian Bureau of Statistics estimates that 0.14% of Melville’s population is homeless, compared with the national average of 0.49%. This means 134 people in Melville are classified as homeless (ABS 2011 Census).

For more information visit Without a Home.

Are there different types of homelessness?

Yes, people who identify as homeless include those who may be in overcrowded and shared housing, temporary lodging houses, couch surfing, as well as rough sleepers. “Rough sleepers” often sleep in parks or doorways, keeping their belongings with them, and are the most visible homeless people in our community.

What are the causes of homelessness?

There are numerous causes of homelessness including relationship breakdown, drug and alcohol abuse, unemployment, mental health issues, and family violence.

It is rarely a lifestyle choice, rather it is the result of a combination of personal and situational factors, including a lack of low cost flexible suitable accommodation options in appropriate locations.

What entitlements and rights do people who identify as homeless have?

People who identify as homeless have the same entitlements as other members of the community to be in a public place, as long as they respect the right of local communities to live in a safe and peaceful environment.

People who identify as homeless have the same rights to access all City of Melville services, facilities and spaces, as long as they respect these services, facilities and spaces, our employees, and members of the public.

Does the City of Melville provide services to people who identify as homeless?

The City of Melville does not directly provide services to people who identify as homeless. Contact is often occasional and ad hoc, with Rangers, Community Safety Service officers, or outdoors staff being most likely to interact with people who are rough sleepers. 

What can be done to assist people who identify as homeless?

In the first instance, the person has to indicate a willingness to seek assistance and to follow through on proposed actions, such as making contact with organisation(s) that provide support.

What can be done if someone is camping at my local park?

Please ring our Customer Services Team on 9364 0666 and the information will be passed to our Duty Ranger for investigation. After hours, please ring our Community Safety Service on 1300 653 643.

What can be done if there is evidence of anti-social or illegal behaviour?

Anti-social and illegal behaviour should be reported to the police. 

Emergency: 000 – for life-threatening situations e.g.

  • A serious crime is in progress or just committed;
  • Life or serious injury is threatened;
  • An immediate threat to people or property exists. 

Police Assistance: 131 444 – when police attendance is required

For reporting:

  • A disturbance or antisocial behaviour;
  • Something which has happened in the past;
  • A property-related incident for insurance purposes.

Visit www.police.wa.gov.au for more information about contacting police.

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