Hi All,

We want to update the 2,500 people who supported the call for a homeless shelter in Bunbury.

Firstly, the State Government’s Standing Committee, which was tasked with considering our petition, acknowledged the growing homelessness and housing affordability crisis in Bunbury, but ultimately concluded its inquiries without recommending or committing to the establishment of an emergency homeless shelter.

Instead, the State Government reaffirmed its commitment to the Housing First policy and existing homelessness programs.

While the provision of long-term housing is critically important, the growing number of people sleeping rough, couch surfing and living in cars demonstrates that the current approach is not meeting the scale of need in our community.

Secondly, recent public commentary has highlighted how misunderstood the issue of homelessness remains.

In Monday’s ABC South West WA news bulletin, comments made by local MP Don Punch appeared to suggest that emergency shelter would inevitably create safety problems associated with violence or antisocial behaviour. We believe this misrepresents what our community has consistently advocated for.

As Maria Goulden rightly stated:

“Let us be unequivocally clear to Don Punch and decision-makers: an ‘unmanned’ 24/7 emergency crisis shelter is not what this community is advocating for.

A building without staff is not a shelter; it is a safety hazard. Leaving vulnerable people — many dealing with severe trauma, mental health crises, or domestic violence — in an unstaffed facility is an abdication of duty of care.

We are advocating for a fully resourced, professionally staffed crisis centre that provides human connection, safety, and wraparound support services. Walls do not save lives; the professionals inside them do.”

Importantly, this model already exists elsewhere in Western Australia.

Wyn Carr House demonstrates what can be achieved when government, charities, and housing organisations work together to provide supported accommodation for vulnerable people.

A common question we hear is: “But where will people go when there is no housing available?”

That is precisely why crisis accommodation is needed. Emergency shelters are not a replacement for long-term housing; they are a necessary response to immediate human need while longer-term pathways are developed.

The reality is that homelessness in Bunbury has worsened over the past decade, not improved. More local people than ever are experiencing housing insecurity, including pensioners, women escaping violence, young people, workers, and families.

Our community deserves better than delay, misunderstanding, and political deflection.

We continue to call on the WA Government and our local representatives to work constructively with service providers and the community to establish a professionally staffed emergency shelter for Bunbury.

Thank you again for your ongoing support.

The Bunbury Addressing Homelessness Working Group