Education and compassion key to ending stigma of homelessness, says Bunbury care provider

Education and compassion are touted as keys to ending the stigma about homelessness with a large portion of the community one traumatic event away from being forced to sleep rough, a Bunbury care provider says. Speaking at an event during National Homelessness Week on Wednesday, Anglicare WA Keny Miya team leader Elizabeth Larkin said the South West was — much like the rest of the State — experiencing a rise in homelessness due to current economic pressures. “There’s still a steady incline in homelessness,” she said. “It’s not people who have been experiencing really long-term homelessness, it’s people that probably didn’t see themselves in this position, (it’s) families and young couples who have lost their houses due to the rental crisis. “We’re all one step away from being in this type of situation and it only takes one traumatic life event for you to fall into that category.” Ms Larkin said it was important for the community to learn more about sleeping rough to help break down the stigma attached to it. “We live in a community where Bunbury is generally quite a compassionate community, but we really need to continue to break down that stigma around being homeless,” she said. “Everyone has a right to live in our community.” More people attended the Connections and Care event hosted at Koolambidi Woola on Wednesday than last year, Ms Larkin said. Helping hands supported those doing it tough during the cost-of-living and rental crisis, highlighting the importance of community support. Services on offer included fresh food and non-perishables, information from services such as Anglicare, The Salvation Army, Accordwest, SWAMS and others. Free haircuts were also on offer for anyone needing a trim or a shave courtesy of Short Back and Sidewalks. “We’ve had a few more numbers through the door already compared to last year,” Ms Larkin said. “I think we probably know that’s because there’s a rise in homelessness and people at-risk of experiencing homelessness at this time.” This is the second time this event has been held at Koolambidi Woola after a successful event last year.