On any given day, across Western Australia there are 193 specialist homelessness agencies that support up to 4,000 clients and 55 Central is proud to be among them.
A devastating statistic, is that 9,565 people experience homelessness every night in WA and unfortunately 2 to 3 accommodation requests are turned away due to a lack of housing.
Many low-income renters experience rental stress, defined as paying more than 30 per cent of their income on rent. 2011/2016 Census states that, Median rents increased from $300 to $347 per week.
Social housing provides an essential service within the housing continuum, offering affordable rental housing. By the end June 2017, there were over 44,000 social housing dwellings in Western Australia. Yet, there is still currently 15,486 applicants on the social housing waiting list.
Housing rights in the ICESCR include ‘the right of everyone to an adequate standard of living for himself/herself and their family, including adequate food, clothing and housing, and to the continuous improvement of living conditions’.
55 Central is a specialist organisation that operates in the inner metropolitan area and works to break the cycle of homelessness by providing person centred, evidence based services to people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.
Governance
55 Central is an Incorporated Association with public benevolent institution status. It is governed by a Board of Directors who meet at least six times a year and hold an Annual General Meeting within four months of the end of the financial year.
If we had met a few years ago, it would of gone like this;
“Hi. My name is Clem. Oh yes, I am currently working as a FIFO worker and live with my loving family in our own home”.
Fast forward a few years and we meet again;
“Hi. My name is Clem and I am currently homeless and sleeping in my car”.
Jessie was referred to our Street to Home service by another specialist homelessness organization. At the time of referral, she was living in her car which she parked on her brother’s property and paid him a weekly “rent” to use the bathroom, kitchen and other facilities inside the house. She suffered from severe back pain
Funded through the Drug and Alcohol Office, the Crossroads Project comprises a partnership between 55 Central, Saint Patrick’s Community Services and Curtin University. The project provides a unique and innovative response towards tackling alcohol and drug related harm and antisocial behaviour, its dual aims are:
Funded through Department of Child Protection (DCP), Street to Home represents a comprehensive multiagency response towards addressing the needs of rough sleepers.
Overall the Street to Home model comprises three integrated elements:
Funded through the Mental Health Commission, the Community Support Program provides a comprehensive range of integrated support services to male and female adults, who have a diagnosed mental illness. One full-time dedicated client Case Manager operates the service.
Funded through the State Department Child Protection (DCP) as part of the National Affordable Housing Agreement (NAHA) 55 Central’s Crisis Accommodation service provides 24 hour emergency crisis accommodation for single adult males between the ages of 18-65. On entry to the service,
