SW soupie forum eyes housing crisis
Social justice workers will host an open forum about housing affordability in Margaret River at the Soup Kitchen on Monday night.
Sparked by the release of the Shire of Augusta-Margaret River's draft affordability strategy, co-convenors Dave Seegar and Naomi Godden will moderate the community discussion with councillors and staff.
Soupie director Mr Seegar has already fundraised four caravans for residents without homes and sees an underclass of Margaret River residents challenged by the region's high rents and out-of-reach house prices.
"Homelessness itself can take on many different aspects," Mr Seegar said .
"It's if you're living in a caravan or a car or an overcrowded home or if you're about to get kicked out of your home and you can't pay your rent. It's more than just being homeless."
In a week where sources lamented the lack of new Government-planned public housing in the Capes region, Margaret River Professional Social Workers Collective member Ms Godden said more needed to be done to help residents in crisis.
"The initial (Shire) strategy didn't mention the word 'homelessness' … that's what prompted us in this process," she said.
"There was a call for submissions on the draft strategy, but often that is not the most accessible way for some community members to get involved."
Many residents lived paycheck to paycheck and more people had impermanent accommodation than even "glaring" 2011 Census figures revealed, according to Ms Godden. "If you don't have stability of housing, you are vulnerable," she said.
The collective believed there were more options for the Shire to be involved in social justice issues despite the housing market being outside the direct control of local government.
Community Resource Centre chair Sally Hays said her not-for-profit group sees residents in crisis first hand, yet its assistance program was limited.
"MRCRC welcomes the forum next week to offer impacted people an opportunity to have their say and for council to become better aware of their reality," she said.
"Affordable and also short-term emergency housing needs urgent consideration. "Rental housing stress is exacerbated by high average rents and the long waiting list for public housing, both of which we believe need urgent attention.
"We see people of no fixed address, living in caravan parks or cars, or camping in the bush for lack of affordable rentals."
Shire acting chief executive Iliya Hastings said the forum would dovetail with the public feedback process.
"The Shire looks forward to hearing more from the community to add to the submissions made on the strategy," he said.
"Affordability of housing in the shire is one of the major challenges we are facing and requires solutions across all sectors of government, the development industry and the community."
The forum starts with a meal at the Soupie at 5pm on Monday, with discussion from 5.30pm to 7pm.
