A weekly walk-in centre offering refuge and assistance to individuals facing or at-risk of homelessness has been heralded a success in its first six months.
The Third Place on Barker Road in Subiaco, where the doors open every Wednesday from 10am-2pm, has been able to assist people 97 times since it opened in September.
This support included 93 walk-ins and four phone calls among people aged 25 to 82 years old.
Those needing assistance have been able to access food, water, clothing, sleeping bags, as well as referrals to additional services including accommodation, mental health providers, and physical health services.
Over the past six months, centre workers have also been able to offer financial support and first aid.
City of Subiaco mayor David McMullen said the centre was having an impact on those doing it tough.
“Six months on from opening, it’s clear that the walk-in Subiaco homelessness centre is having a tangible impact in the provision of care and support to vulnerable people in the community,” he said.
“The statistics show that through the centre, the city and The Salvation Army are supporting people who — each due to their own different life circumstances — all lack security in their access to a place they can call home.”
Salvation Army outreach support services manager Chairmay Van Der Merwe said the program facilitated a “safe space where members of the community can have their basic needs met”.
“Residents in the area remarked on being grateful for the presence of a service that is both responsive to addressing issues and the needs experienced by those accessing our services in the community.”