Housing crisis hitting single women over 50 as more turn to camping & sleeping in cars

A former Dunsborough resident is desperately seeking somewhere to live after becoming unexpectedly homeless. For the past week, Helen Findlay, who has lived in the region for around 25 years, has been forced to sleep in her car with her dog. She is far from alone, if recently revealed statistics are to be believed. The Shire of Augusta-Margaret River and the City of Busselton have both reported increases in fines handed out by rangers, with calls for help to Augusta-Margaret River rangers double what they were last summer. Speaking last week after the startling increase was revealed in the Times, Busselton community planning director Gary Barbour said rangers gave out fines when illegal camping was proven but an increase in homelessness and workers without housing meant the issue was being treated with compassion. Ms Findlay, who is a holiday unit cleaner, has made multiple appeals for help and support on social media but is one of those stuck camping illegally — partly because of her devotion to her pet dog Banjo. She has managed to rehome her pet canaries, but says she cannot face abandoning Banjo. Ms Findlay, who suffers from fibromyalgia, said things were so bad late last week she began experiencing extreme anxiety and panic attacks. “I’m feel so vulnerable and I’m terrified I will die out there and no-one will know,” she said. “It feels hopeless right now. I’m running out of options, but I am still being proactive about finding somewhere. I’ve been a local for 25 years and I’m hopeful someone can help.” Also battling homelessness in Busselton is support worker Louise Hartley, who has been living in a mobile home parked on a friend’s driveway in Geographe for some time. She will have to find a new location to park her van later as her friend is selling their property. Ms Hartley said she had been homeless for about three years and had been actively seeking support. “I drew down on my super and managed to buy something I can live in and drive,” she said “In a conversation with the mayor I advised him about my living arrangements and I was told that for now the City of Busselton will ‘turn a blind eye to my situation’ (in regards to being fined for illegally camping).” But despite that “blind eye”, Ms Hartley criticised the way the local authority handled her enquiry. “I was appalled by my treatment at the City of Busselton where I was made to tell my story in a very open place with people walking past; it was so insensitive,” she said. Ms Hartley has also reached out to Entrypoint Perth, a free support service funded by the Department of Communities that provides support services to the homeless. Entrypoint was unable to provide any assistance to Ms Hartley as, like Ms Findlay, she was unwilling to rehome her beloved dogs. “Nothing can make we part with them; it is because of them I am still alive,” she said. Ms Findlay and Ms Hartley are just two of the many people in the region who find themselves struggling to find shelter and the basic services that many take for granted. It is estimated that there are nearly 10,000 homeless people, including families with young children, in WA. The Australian Bureau of Statistics 2021 Census showed women over the age of 45 were one of the fastest growing groups in the homeless population. A Department of Communities spokesperson said people seeking public housing assistance had to lodge a formal application to enable the department to process and manage their claim. “Communities encourages individuals to contact their local office, where assistance is available to support individuals with submitting applications and accessing support services,” the spokesperson said. “The State Government is investing close to $3.4 million in the current financial year to fund seven organisations, delivering 10 homelessness support services in the South West region.” Housing and Homelessness Minister John Carey told the Times the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent heated construction market had radically reshaped housing markets across the country. “The WA Government’s immediate focus is on providing housing and accommodation for rough sleepers,” he said. “Since our record $2.6 billion investment in housing and homelessness measures, we have added 101 social homes in the South West, while a further 39 social homes are currently under contract or construction in the South West. “Our $2.6 billion investment also includes $225 million to address homelessness this financial year alone, providing funding to 130 critical homelessness services across WA.” But Local MP and Liberal leader Libby Mettam said the Cook Labor Government had “absolutely failed” West Australians. “(There are) 1142 less social housing dwellings now compared to 2017 and more than 34,000 people on the waitlist,” she said. “In a State that is recording multi-billion dollar budget surpluses on the back of a mining boom, it is unconscionable that the Cook Labor Government has allowed housing to go backwards under its watch. “Last month the latest Productivity Commission figures revealed WA Labor spent significantly less than every other State on public housing infrastructure in its first four years in Government. “This lack of investment had fed the current housing shortages and helped fuel price hikes for rentals.” City of Busselton CEO Tony Nottle said the city had recently experienced an increase in people displaced from the housing market and camping in public spaces and while the number was difficult to quantify, there did appear to be an increasing trend “Homelessness is a State Government responsibility to manage, so most of the solutions to homelessness are not within the city’s control, but the city does actively support people within the community in a number of ways,” he said. Mr Nottle said the city was working with stakeholders to identify suitable housing solutions for seasonal workers to ease the pressure on the housing market. The city was also offering a compassionate approach when discovering people living in cars and supporting them to access support services, rather than focusing on infringements this year. It has also relaxed caravan park regulations to increase the length of time people can stay. Entrypoint is available to assist people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness, with access to a range of accommodation and support options. Entrypoint can be contacted on 1800 124 684 or at entrypointperth.com.au.