Just Home Margaret River ends referral service amid housing crisis due to funding struggles

Not-for-profit housing advocacy group Just Home Margaret River has confirmed it will shut down its information and referral service later this year due to a lack of funding.

The group — which has received Lotterywest and Shire of Augusta-Margaret River funding but no help from the State Government in its seven years of existence — said it would continue to lobby for the region’s housing needs and participate in the local taskforce also charged with the same mission.

Chair and founder Naomi Godden, a former shire councillor, said the closure from August 31 was bad news for the region.

“This is a profoundly disappointing moment for Just Home, and a real loss for our community at a time where we are only seeing the housing crisis grow in severity,” she said.

“It’s clear that addressing homelessness and housing insecurity in the regions is not a priority for the State Government — despite its crushing social consequences for residents of the region, and economic consequences for local business who cannot find staff due to them having nowhere to live.”

Acting shire president Tracey Muir said the end of the service meant “vulnerable community members will need to travel to Bunbury to access referrals and assistance”.

Following last week’s meeting with Housing Minister John Carey, Cr Muir said there was a strong need for local services to help residents caught up in the housing crisis.

“The solution to homelessness is not as simple as providing housing,” she said.

“It’s vital that individuals have access to a range of wraparound support mechanisms and it’s wrong to assume people have the time or money to travel to Bunbury to access services.”

Cr Muir said she was disappointed the group have not been able to secure State funding to continue all of its services.

“It’s a real loss for our community and many of the families they support and could mean some need to leave the region altogether, which is just a devastating position for anyone to be in,” she said.

Housing Minister John Carey did not directly respond when asked if the State Government would offer the group a lifeline.

“The Department of Communities will continue to engage Just Home and the wider community services sector as part of the State Government’s ongoing commissioning process,” he said.

“The commissioning process is focused on housing first principles to ensure the homelessness service system is providing effective responses to vulnerable Western Australians and delivering priorities under the 10-Year Strategy on Homelessness, primarily the provision of housing and direct homelessness support services.

“Communities also provides a range of grant programs for community service organisations and local governments which are available through official tender processes.”

Dr Godden said Just Home was founded out of frustration at the lack of State Government services for people experiencing homelessness in the region.

“Despite this setback, Just Home will remain a proud and relentless advocate for housing justice and for social and affordable housing solutions in the Augusta-Margaret River shire,” she said.

“We promise to keep working for our community to have real access to suitable local services.”

She thanked other groups including Margaret River’s Community Centre, Lions Club, Soup Kitchen and Rotary for additional past funding.