Homelessness has been put on the national agenda, with the issue headlining the current Council of Capital City Lord Mayors meeting in Canberra.
Consisting of all capital city Lord Mayors, the ACT Chief Minister and City of Perth Deputy Commissioner Gaye McMath, representatives are meeting with key Federal Government Ministers to focus on issues of housing and homelessness.
Homelessness is a major issue not just in Perth, but across all cities and greater metropolitan regions throughout Australia.
Deputy Chair Commissioner Gaye McMath said the aim of the CCCLM is to highlight the challenges associated with homelessness and call upon the Federal Government to introduce effective measures to make significant change.
“Members of the CCCLM are urging the government to make social and affordable housing in inner cities a key priority,” Deputy Chair Commissioner McMath said.
“A need exists for a low threshold housing option to operate within the City of Perth and surrounding areas, as crisis and transitional accommodation are currently operating at capacity and generally have restrictions on access to people with complex needs such as mental health or substance abuse.
“Preliminary research has indicated a minimum of 100 beds are required to meet the immediate need.
"The City of Perth is committed to working collaboratively with the WA State Government and service providers to meet the needs of people experiencing homelessness but a holistic approach by all three tiers of government is required to end homelessness.”
Issued by: Caitlin Tiller, Principal Corporate Communications, 0437 814 514, caitlin.tiller@cityofperth.wa.gov.au