Perth’s Homeless Are Sick Of Waiting For Help And Are Now Protesting At Parliament
These homeless people are demanding the government to do something.
Perth’s homeless have stepped up their fight for housing by heading to the Western Australian parliament to demand it.
The residents of tent city, a loose collection of temporary structures in Perth’s city centre, have been kicked about like a political football over the past few months, even after some of the residents have been on the streets for years. Most of the residents are Indigenous.
Weeks ago it seemed like the 50-odd homeless people would be moved from the streets into one of the city’s empty backpacking hostels, but that plan has since stalled.
It had seemed like the backpacker solution would get off the ground earlier this month, but it’s taking too long for the tent city residents who say they’re in constant danger.
In the meantime, other camps around the city have been dispersed and food-drives banned by the Perth council, now headed by Basil Zempilas.
The increasing pressure to move on with no clear plan for their futures has caused the homeless in Perth to demand action.
“It’s not safe to be on these streets. We need the government to help us get housing now so we can get off these streets and be back together with our families,” protest organiser Anselm Taylor said. “I’ve lost family on the streets. It’s not safe for our women and children, and it’s killing our people.
“We need houses now so we can move forward together, for all of us. I’ve organised this protest so that everyone can see that we’re serious and we want to get off these streets – it ends now.”
Noongar elders Uncle Herbert Bropho, Uncle Ben Taylor and Uncle Ampy Taylor camped out at Parliament to protest WA’s homelessness crisis pic.twitter.com/zsijDHrTR4
— Jesse Noakes (@JesseSNoakes) November 25, 2020
Mr Taylor, also known as Uncle Ampy, has had several heart attacks recently due to a major heart condition, and the entire time he’s been sleeping on the streets.
Not only are the residents calling for immediate housing, but they’re also calling for the government to make a bigger investment in public housing.
Director of the National Suicide Prevention and Trauma Recovery Project director Megan Krakouer was at the protest, and she said the Victorian government’s level of investment was what was needed to fix the homelessness issue in Western Australia.
The Victorian government committed $5.3 billion to build 12,000 new social and public housing dwellings.
“However, when we compare Victoria’s response to Western Australia, our government remains the back water of this nation — doing next to nothing for our most vulnerable,” she said.
New Opposition Leader Zac Kirkup and Shadow Housing Minister addressing WA’s housing crisis and a serious election commitment for WA homelessness pic.twitter.com/FKy1jslj4t
— Jesse Noakes (@JesseSNoakes) November 25, 2020
More than 10,000 are homeless in Western Australia and Public housing stock has declined by 1000 homes since Labor took power.
The government would build 260 dwellings a year for the next decade.
Senior Bibbulmun elder Aunty Mingli Wanjurri McGlade said the government had a responsibility to look after its most vulnerable.
“Shelter is a fundamental human need and a basic human right,” she said. “The numbers of people dying on our street should shame the government when a state as rich as ours cannot give shelter to the people who need it most.”
The opposition pledged support for the homeless at the protests as an election promise, but did not give specifics.