The Epidemic of Homelessness

Homelessness could happen to anyone. Even you. 

Urban Camping – The Face of Homelessness

---

My Story

Not long ago, I found myself technically homeless.

After a relationship breakdown, I was denied access to my own property through a false Family Violence Restraining Order (FVRO) — a legal weapon that, for two months, stripped me of my rights and my livelihood. My ex-partner lied in court, and the order was later dropped.

At the time, I had nowhere to go. If it weren’t for the love and support of my family and friends, I would have been sleeping in my car. The FVRO was used not for safety, but for control — allowing his mother to move into my workroom, the very studio I relied on to make a living.

He even told the magistrate that I was a “sovereign citizen” because I questioned government directives during COVID — a label that has been weaponised to marginalise and discredit anyone who thinks critically or challenges authority. In modern Australia, “sovereign citizen” has become a kind of code word — one that paints people as extremists or domestic threats, even when they’re simply standing up for their rights.

That experience opened my eyes to the harsh truth about our justice system. As a self-represented litigant, I spent several years in the Magistrates Court and the Supreme Court watching how ordinary people are crushed under fines they can’t pay, pressured to plead guilty for a “discount,” and punished for defending themselves.

It’s a system that profits from punishment — not one that nurtures justice or healing.

• 

• 

---

Homelessness as a Modern Epidemic

Homelessness spreads like a slow contagion — fuelled by relationship breakdowns, job losses, rising rents, and the systemic failure of social infrastructure.

According to Homelessness Australia, more than 122,000 Australians are homeless on any given night — a 5.2% increase since 2016.

In Western Australia, median weekly rents now exceed $700, pushing even working people to the edge.

In Midland, I see it every day. People sleeping under stairwells, in doorways, or in their cars — like Noel, who has been sleeping upright in his ute for three years.

Homelessness is not just about housing. It’s about disconnection — from stability, safety, and belonging.

---

Hope in Action: The Local Hub

As a volunteer at the Dreambuilders Local Hub in Midland, I’ve seen how simple acts of compassion change lives.

The Hub offers:

• Five free community meals a week
• Fresh fruit, vegetables, and bread
• A low-cost mini supermarket
• Laundry services every Thursday
• Shower facilities available daily
• And, perhaps most importantly, a place to belong, to connect, to be seen.

• 

• 

• 

It warms my heart to be part of this organisation. Every loaf of bread, every shared smile, is a small antidote to despair.

By the way, I manage The Local Hub Facebook page — so make sure you like, share, and join to stay connected with our community and help spread the love. www.facebook.com/thelocalhubmidland

---

The Systemic Roots

Homelessness has many faces — domestic violence survivors, veterans, pensioners, casual workers, young people leaving foster care.

But beneath it all lies a structural problem: a housing market distorted by speculation and unsustainable immigration growth, where basic shelter has become a luxury instead of a right.

We are not dealing with a shortage of homes — we are dealing with a shortage of political will to prioritise people over profit.

That’s one of the reasons I chose to run as a candidate for the Great Australian Party (GAP) — to give a voice to those who’ve been left behind by policies that favour profit over people.

For me, it wasn’t about politics; it was about principle — about standing up for fairness, transparency, and the right of every person to live with dignity and security.

Real change requires courage — the courage to challenge systems that serve power instead of people, and the compassion to create new ones that don’t leave anyone behind.

---

Healing the Wound

True healing begins when we recognise homelessness not as an individual failure, but as a collective wound. It calls for compassion and action — and it starts in our own neighbourhoods.

---

The Power of Dignity

One thing I’ve learned is this: treat everyone you meet with dignity and respect. You never truly know their story — what they’ve endured, what they’ve lost, or the quiet courage it takes just to get through the day.

Kindness costs nothing, but it can change everything.

---

Resources and Support Services (WA)

Here are some of the organisations doing vital work:

• Dreambuilders Local Hub (Midland) – Food, support, community connection
• St Bart’s (East Perth) – Supported and community housing for low-income earners
• Ruah Community Services – Crisis accommodation and mental health support
• Entrypoint Perth – Centralised housing and homelessness helpline (1800 124 684)
• Uniting WA – Emergency relief, housing, and family support
• Anglicare WA – Financial counselling and homelessness services
• Salvation Army Doorways – Crisis support, meals, and accommodation
• Homeless Healthcare Perth – Mobile medical clinics for people experiencing homelessness
• Street Doctor – Free healthcare via mobile outreach vans
• Mission Australia – Housing, employment, and community support programs

---

A Call to Action

Homelessness won’t end through sympathy alone — it ends when communities stand together.

Here’s how you can be part of the solution:

• Petition your MP or local council to prioritise affordable and community housing
• Volunteer your time at shelters, food hubs, or local support services
• Donate to organisations like Dreambuilders, St Bart’s, Ruah, or St Vinnies
• Shop or donate at the Dreambuilders Op Shop to help fund local meals and programs
• Spread the word — share stories, raise awareness, challenge stereotypes
• Engage with local schools and youth groups about empathy and community service
• Join local think tanks, community forums, or neighbourhood networks
• Support local initiatives that focus on mental health, employment, and early intervention
• Check in on people — a neighbour, a friend, someone sitting alone. Connection matters.

---

Closing Reflection

Homelessness is an epidemic that thrives in silence, but compassion is contagious too. Every meal shared, every bed offered, every policy challenged is part of the cure.

I have lived through injustice, loss, and recovery. And I’ve learned that home is not just a place — it’s the feeling of being seen, safe, and supported.

Together, we can build a community where everyone has a place to belong and a place to call home.