As Australia sees a surge in people sleeping rough, there are growing calls to transform vacant land into a free campground for the homeless.
In Rockingham, a coastal city in Western Australia, it’s become “beyond a crisis”, Vangey Baker, a volunteer with Housing Crisis Australia, told Yahoo News Australia.
The former RSL Caravan Park at Point Peron is just a stone’s throw away from Perth’s “street of despair”, which has seen the number of people living in tents skyrocket in recent months.
And while the site, which has remained vacant for years, could temporarily house thousands of Aussies doing it tough, it remains unused and underutilised.
“The need for practical emergency and temporary accommodation is beyond a crisis,” Vangey told Yahoo.
She said the situation in the Rockingham area is “extremely concerning”.
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The former caravan park in Point Peron has been vacant for years, with advocates arguing it could easily provide temporary accommodation for those sleeping rough.
(Housing Crisis Australia)
“We are hearing from and seeing people sleeping in cars, vans, tents and other makeshift situations,” she said.
“What I would like to see is a serious assessment of whether that existing site could be used, even temporarily, to provide safe and managed accommodation for people who are currently sleeping rough, in tents or in vehicles.”
Queensland council’s major move to help people sleeping rough
This week, a Queensland council made the extraordinary decision to establish a free campsite to help an explosion of Aussies doing it tough and forced to sleep rough.
The City of Moreton Bay voted unanimously to establish a 60-site camping ground for a 12-month trial.
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It’s what Vangey and other advocates are hoping to see in Perth.
According to Housing Crisis Australia, state planning documents indicate the site has previously been identified as having potential for short-stay accommodation, including camping, units, or a caravan park, subject to the necessary approvals.
Nearby Memorial Drive has become Perth’s ‘street of despair’ as more and more homeless people move roadside.
(7News)
It’s understood the land was recently transferred to the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA), with consideration being given to future tourism and recreational camping opportunities.
“If governments acknowledge a shortage of emergency accommodation, why isn’t this site being prepared now as an interim homeless response while longer-term planning continues?” Vangey said
“I am not suggesting simply opening a gate and creating an unmanaged campsite.
“But I would like governments and the City to investigate what infrastructure remains and what would be required to make the site safe and compliant, and whether it could accommodate things such as temporary cabins, caravans or other appropriate short-term immediate accommodation, with toilets, showers, waste management and links to support services doing outreach.”
It’s not just the Rockingham area that’s exploded with people living rough, but the rest of the state is seeing it too. In fact, it’s happening all over Australia.
“When we already have land that has historically been used for caravan park type accommodation, I think the community is entitled to ask whether it could form part of the solution rather than remaining unused while people are sleeping rough nearby,” she continued.
“Temporary accommodation isn’t a replacement for permanent housing, but a safe place with a roof or weatherproof shelter, toilets, showers, power and basic facilities is a considerable improvement on sleeping rough while somebody waits for longer-term housing.”
The number of people sleeping in tents have skyrocketed in recent months.
(7News)
She said homelessness is now affecting “everyone”, including the elderly, mothers, children and also men.
“People can be homeless and still have a vehicle, a job, a pension or some income,” she said.
Vangey said transforming the site could be one part of the solution the city desperately needs.
“The problem is that there simply isn’t enough affordable housing or immediately available accommodation for everyone who needs it,” she said.
“I don’t believe simply counting the people visibly sleeping in public places gives an accurate picture of housing insecurity in the area”.
Yahoo News Australia contacted Development WA, Rockingham City Council and the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA) for comment.
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