Homelessness and crisis support
The City of Canning recognises that homelessness is a complex and growing issue affecting people in Canning.
In Australia, there are over 122,494 people experiencing homelessness on any given night.
The City of Canning is committed to working collaboratively across government, not-for-profits, community, business and those with lived experience to help prevent and respond to the challenges of homelessness.
- Homelessness Plan (PDF 1.8MB)
- Homelessness Action Plan 2024 – 2025 (PDF 1.3MB)
- Homelessness Plan 2021 – 2024 Report Card (PDF 4MB)
- Homelessness Research Report (PDF 14MB)
- Directory of support providers (PDF 1MB)
- Interactive map of support providers
- Map of support providers (PDF 9MB)
If you, or someone you know is experiencing hardship, download our directory of support providers (PDF 1MB) for details on organisations who can assist with:
- emergency accommodation
- meals, food vouchers and food parcels
- maintaining your tenancy
- domestic violence support
- legal advice
- support for young people
- mental health support
- financial counselling
- drugs and alcohol support
- showers and laundry for people who are homeless.
According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, a person is homeless if they do not have suitable accommodation alternatives and their current living arrangement:
- is in a dwelling that is inadequate;
- has no tenure, or if their initial tenure is short and not extendable; or
- does not allow them to have control of, and access to space for social relations.
Types of homelessness
- persons living in improvised dwellings, tents or sleeping out (rough sleepers)
- persons in supported accommodation for the homeless
- persons staying temporarily with other households
- persons living in boarding houses
- persons in other temporary lodgings
- persons living in severely crowded dwellings.
Visit the Australian Bureau of Statistics website for more information.
Homelessness is not just the result of too few houses. There are many causes that contribute to homelessness in Australia, including:
- domestic violence
- a shortage of affordable housing
- unemployment
- mental illness
- family breakdown
- drug and alcohol abuse.
Homelessness takes a range of forms – from those who have suddenly become homeless, to those who have been sleeping rough in public places over a long period of time, or those who “couch surf” with friends, family or acquaintances.
Treat homeless people with dignity, remember homelessness can happen to anyone. Being homeless is not a crime, people who are homeless or sleeping rough have the same entitlements as anyone else to be in a public place.
If you are concerned about a rough sleeper, you can contact the City on 1300 422 664.
Donate
Consider donating to a charity that provides emergency relief and outreach service such as:
Volunteer
Consider volunteering your time and skills with a not-for-profit organisation. You can find a list of organisations on the Volunteering WA website.
Support
Support people experiencing homelessness by understanding the true causes of homelessness.
Ask Izzy – connecting people in need with housing, a meal, money help, family violence support, counselling and much more. It is free and anonymous, with over 400,000 support services listed.
WAConnect – online service directory for purposes like emergency accommodation and relief, rent assistance, and food vouchers. Call 1800 979 777.
Entrypoint Perth – a free assessment and referral service assisting people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness in WA to access accommodation and support options. Call 6496 0001 or 1800 124 684.
Crisis Care helpline – a telephone information and counselling service that operates 24 hours, 7 days a week, for people in crisis needing urgent help. Call 1800 199 008 or 9223 1111.
Multicultural Services Centre WA – MSC is an established provider of diverse community services and programs, supporting culturally and linguistically diverse (CaLD) Western Australians for over four decades.
Further information
- All Paths Lead to Home – Western Australia’s 10 Year Strategy on Homelessness 2020-2030
- Housing Support – Department of Social Services
- WA Alliance to End Homelessness
The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) offer a free Pets in Crisis program for those experiencing immediate family and domestic violence.
Pets are placed in a loving foster home for up to three months while their owner seeks refuge or temporary accommodation of their own. The program hopes to give pet owners peace of mind knowing that their pet will be safe and well cared for, enabling them to focus on their own safety.
The Pets in Crisis program is offered throughout Perth and the metropolitan area, the South West, and in the Great Southern.
Visit the RSPCA website or watch the program video for more information.
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