Rotary Margaret River has generously donated $4,000 to Just Home Margaret River for its Housing Advocacy Project in the 2018/19 Financial Year.
The grant will be used to support people experiencing homelessness and housing stress to access housing in the Augusta Margaret River area.
Just Home’s Housing Advocacy Officer, Katie Gray, works 15 hours per week in the community-based program and said there was a shortage of housing at the cheapest end of the market.
"This is a problem all year round but November through to May is my busiest time, with maximum seasonal workers and tourism at its busiest, our most vulnerable struggle to rent rooms and find affordable housing," Ms Gray said.
"I am seeing people with a budget of $150 a week right up to $300 per week who can’t find anything.
"It is so hard to turn away our pensioners, those on disability pensions and Centrelink payments, at times I can’t even suggest a campground in peak season as these too are full.
"While most of us enjoy our summer holidays it can the most challenging time to be without a home.”
Since its inception in July 2017, the Housing Advocacy Project has worked with more than 60 people experiencing homelessness or housing stress in our community.
The program is guided by Steering Group with representatives of Just Home, the Augusta Margaret River Shire, Margaret River Community Centre, Margaret River Professional Social Work Collective, and people with lived experience of homelessness.
The program was designed by people with experience of homelessness and housing stress.
Chair of Just Home Naomi Godden thanked the Rotary Club for their support.
“By working in partnership with other organisations, we hope to tackle homelessness and housing injustice in our community," Ms Godden said.
To find out more about Just Home, visit www.facebook.com/JustHome.MargaretRiver
