Find out about the City’s homelessness response and useful resources for those experiencing homelessness and support situations.
Homelessness Week donation drive
Homelessness Week is an annual Australian campaign held in August to raise awareness and advocate for solutions to homelessness.
The City supports Homelessness Week through a range of initiatives, including donation drives for care packs. The City’s Community Safety team distribute these care packs to people experiencing homelessness and provide opportunities for individuals to be connected to i24s, the assertive outreach team who operate in City of Stirling.
This August the City of Stirling have partnered with Westfield Innaloo to run a donation drive for those who would like to make contributions towards our care packs.
If you'd like to contribute, the City are asking for donations of travel/mini toiletries including:
- Face and body wash
- Face and body cream/sunscreen
- Shampoo and conditioner
- Deodorant
- Tissues
- Toiletry bags
- Toothbrush/toothpaste
- Sanitiser
Please note, we are unable to accept any used, expired or open items and razors.
You can find the donation box located at Westfield Innaloo Shopping Centre during business hours throughout the month of August.
What is homelessness?
The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) definition states that when a person does not have suitable accommodation alternatives, they are considered homeless if their current living arrangement:
- Is in a dwelling that is inadequate
- Has no tenure, or if their initial tenure is short and not extendable
- Does not allow them to have control of, and access to space for social relations.
How do people become homeless?
Causes of homelessness are varied and often interconnected. A range of contributing factors can increase the risk of housing instability, including:
- Financial pressures, such as limited access to affordable and appropriate housing, high rental demand, changes in income, and rising living costs
- Transitions from institutional or supported settings, including leaving prison, care, hospital, or treatment services without stable housing options
- Health and wellbeing factors, including physical health, mental health, and disability-related needs
- Systems and structural challenges, including gaps in service coordination, housing supply constraints, and broader economic conditions
- Life circumstances, such as family and domestic violence, experiences of discrimination, substance use, and significant personal trauma
- Global and societal events, including pandemics, conflict, and economic disruption
Useful resources for homelessness support
- WA Connect search for needs locally - food, overdue bill assistance, accommodation
- Stirling Libraries free Wi-Fi, ‘Ask a Librarian’, and seating
- Free Wi-Fi Zones at Stirling Libraries, Leisure Centres and Administration Building
- Public Toilet Map free public conveniences, based on your location.
- MoneySmart free information to improve the financial capability of all Australians
- Financial Counselling Association WA free, government funded financial counselling
- Northern Suburbs Community Legal Centre combination of legal, social and financial support.
- Entrypoint Perth free assessment and referral service for people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness
- WA Reconnect Providers support for 12 - 21 year olds and their families who are homeless or at risk of homelessness
- WA Connect search for crisis accommodation providers near you.
- All Paths Lead to Home Western Australia’s 10 Year Strategy on Homelessness 2020 - 2030
- Housing Support Department of Social Services
- Seniors Housing free independent advice covering full range of options for seniors.
- Shelter WA peak body that advocates for affordable housing and ending homelessness in Western Australia
- WA Alliance to End Homelessness alliance of individuals and organisations.
- My Health Care Options explore options available from the WA Primary Health Alliance
- Green Book directory of alcohol, other drugs and mental health service providers
- My Services directory for immediate help with mental health, alcohol or drug support
- Think Mental Health free mental health information and resources.
