Safe Night Space
City of Perth proves feasibility of Safe Night Space for women
The City is strongly committed to advocating and supporting an end to homelessness in the City and greater Perth, which includes supporting the State and Federal Governments with their responsibilities to fund and deliver homelessness services for Western Australians.
The City’s commitment has been underlined by a strong track record of action, with the City taking steps across the last few years to set up and fund trial homelessness services until State Government funded facilities could come online.
The City’s trial delivery of a Safe Night Space (SNS) for women at the Rod Evans Centre in East Perth was a successful example of stepping in and supporting needs while State-run services were not yet available. The City is proud of its Safe Night Space for women demonstration project and having successfully proved the need for a low-barrier, gender-specific homelessness night space.
The SNS model demonstrated by the City ultimately informed a way forward for the State Government who have contracted a Safe Night Space for women which is now operating in the City.
Creating a Safe Night Space service for women
| Nov 2020 | Newly elected Council approves City to invest $575,00 to refit the Rod Evans Centre in East Perth for use as a Safe Night Space demonstration project for up to thirty adult women. The service was established as an interim measure to provide a critical service for women who required basic shelter and safety. |
| May 2021 | The City contracts Ruah to deliver the Safe Night Space service for women for a two year trial period, using $4M in City funds. The City had originally committed the funds to new homelessness facilities known as Common Ground which were to be developed as part of the Perth City Deal, however in acknowledging the delay in this development, the State Government approved the City instead using its own funds to deliver the Safe Night Space service for women. |
| Jun 2021 | Safe Night Space for women commences at Rod Evans Centre. |
Extension of the service to support State Government in bringing other facilities online
| Nov 2022 | State Government declines to fund the Safe Night Space for women service at Rod Evans Centre beyond its current end date of 31 May 2023. |
| Feb 2023 | At the February Council Meeting 2023, Council approves six-month extension of Safe Night Space for women at Rod Evans Centre through to 30 November 2023 to enable the State Government’s Murray Street crisis accommodation, and other alternative measures, to come online before the SNS service ends. As part of the decision, Council commits to meet community’s expectations to return the Rod Evans Centre to community use at the conclusion of the six month extension. |
| Sep 2023 | State Government’s Murray Street supported accommodation, Wandjoo Bidi, run by St Vincent de Paul Society (Vinnies WA) comes online. |
| 1 Dec 2023 | Rod Evans Centre closes for minor remedial and refurbishment works to ready the Centre for community use in the new year. Rod Evans Community Centre reopens for community use and hire on 5 February. |
Current status
| Jun 2024 |
Ruah commences operating a Safe Night Space at the RUAH Engagement Hub at 247-249 James Street in Northbridge. |