Salvos back Homeless Persons Week

Rockingham's Salvation Army is responding to the significant increase of homelessness in the area by taking part in the national Homeless Persons Week from August 1 to 7.

About 30 homeless people walk through the Rockingham Salvation Army’s doors every week, but financial counsellor Liza Chatterton said this figure is just the tip of a much bigger iceberg.

According to Ms Chatterton, the average age of homeless people i s pegged a t two extremes, being 20 to 25 or the elderly.

‘‘Homeless teenagers tend to couch surf sowedon’t see them until they get older,’’ she said.

Ms Chatterton said the sudden increase in homelessness is due to many factors such as rates rises and the higher cost of living and, with CHOGM around the corner, more of Perth city’s homeless are on the move south after being pushed out of the CBD.

‘‘We are in desperate need of crisis care accommodation now — there is absolutely nothing down this way,’’ she said.

Ms Chatterton said most people would be surprised at the number of homeless people in the area.

‘‘Sadly it’s out of sight out of mind,’’ she said.

Rockingham Corps Officer Darrell Wilson said the Salvation Army is tackling the issue with a holistic approach.

‘‘An easy solution would be to move them on, but I believe we need to address the issues that cause people to become homeless rather than moving the issue from suburb to suburb,’’ he said.

Over Homeless Persons Week, the Salvation Army will provide a meal every day to those in need.

‘‘Donations are welcome and can be dropped into the collection bin,’’ Ms Chatterton said.

The Salvation Army is at the corner of Willmott Drive and Read Street, Cooloongup.

For more information call 9527 3460.