Homelessness and Outreach Services
During the Covid-19 situation, the Town has been advised that support services for people experiencing homelessness are continuing with the appropriate safety measures put in place. For the safety of their staff, volunteers, and clients, organisations that provide support and essential services to people experiencing homelessness have adapted their program delivery to follow the advice of the Department of Health.
The Town of East Fremantle is committed to addressing homelessness and reducing the risk of homelessness through a coordinated and facilitated approach. The Town recognises that homelessness and begging are complex issues that require a whole of community approach.
Homelessness and housing stress are complex social issues that are impacted upon and driven by many factors that are often external to the control and influence of local government. The Town is committed to working collaboratively with service providers, WA Police, and our neighbouring inner city local governments and more broadly across the Perth metropolitan area to work towards sustainable solutions to this complex social issue.
What can I do?
The below information aims to clarify what actions you can take to assist a person experiencing homelessness, and how to notify the correct authority of any associated matters.
Notify the Town
Please note that being ‘homeless’ and asking for assistance is not a crime. Homelessness is complex and often requires the involvement of multiple services and supports. Please read the information below so that the right type of assistance and support can be provided to you and the person experiencing homelessness.
Please note that criminal behaviour and illegal activity must be reported to Police on 000 for cases requiring immediate police attendance, and 13 14 44 for non-urgent cases (those not requiring immediate police attendance) before contacting the Town (see below).
The Town works with local service providers that provide outreach services to people experiencing homelessness or are at risk of homelessness in our community. Notifying the Town assists us to provide helpful information to these services and also gives the Town information on the prevalence of homelessness in the local area, which will help inform future initiatives.
To notify the Town, contact the Community Safety Ranger Services team at admin@eastfremantle.wa.gov.au or call 9339 9339. Please include details such as location, number of people, and any health or safety concerns.
Report an Issue
- Community safety and crime - may include (but not limited to) antisocial behaviour, trespass on private property, assault or threats, alcohol and drugs, appearance of mental health issues. Please phone WA Police on 13 14 44 or in an emergency 000.
Report anonymously to Crimestoppers or phone 1800 333 000.
Report Child Welfare issues or phone 1800 273 889 or cpduty@cpfs.wa.gov.au during office hours, or 92231111 after hours. If there is immediate danger or a life- threatening situation phone 000 immediately.
Begging Advice
The Town’s main streets can be popular locations for people to beg due to high foot traffic and a generous community. It should be noted that not all people begging are homeless, and not all people experiencing homelessness will beg.
The Town has been advised by local police and community organisations to encourage the community to instead support charities that provide emergency relief and outreach. This helps to discourage those not seeking money for essential expenses, and better supports the community organisations that provide emergency relief and assistance.
Please consider supporting the following organisations:
- The Salvation Army -. Their volunteers do a fabulous job in providing emergency assistance, distributing basic essential items, support, referrals, and social contact for some of the most vulnerable people in our community.
- RUAH Community Services
- St Vincent de Paul
- Saint Patrick's Homeless Shelter – A Fremantle based volunteer organisation that provides outreach care services, whose volunteers do a fabulous job in providing emergency assistance, distributing basic essential items, support, referrals, and social contact for some of the most vulnerable people in our community. Saint Patrick's also provide parking for attendance by agencies such as the Street Doctors team and mobile clothes washing van.
Emergency Relief and Accommodation
There are several services across the Perth metropolitan area who are working to address and end homelessness. Many of these provide services to people within the Town of East Fremantle.
Visit WAConnect
Developed by Western Australian Council of Social Service (WACOSS), ERConnect contains real time search results of emergency relief services, with phone numbers, operating hours, and directions on the services available in your location.
Visit Askizzy
Help find the services you need, now and nearby. It is free and anonymous, and you can search over 360,000 services to find housing, meals, healthcare, counselling, legal advice, and more.
Visit Entrypoint Perth
Phone 6496 0001 or 1800 124 684 – Entrypoint Perth is a free assessment and referral service assisting people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness in Western Australia to access accommodation and support options.
Visit Crisis Care
Phone 9223 1111 or 1800 199 008 – Crisis Care is a telephone information and counselling service for people in crisis needing urgent help. Crisis Care can be accessed through the translating and interpreting service on 13 14 50.
Visit St Patrick's Community Support Centre
Since 1972, Saint Patrick’s has worked to help those who are homeless or at risk of being homeless in Fremantle and the wider West Metropolitan region of Perth. Saint Patrick's Community Support Centre is located at 12 Queen Victoria Street, Fremantle and can be contacted via email to info@stpats.com.au or alternatively via phone on 6372 4800.
Saint Patrick's Meals and Community Support Centre
During the Covid-19 pandemic Saint Patrick's have made some changes to their meal service to protect our clients, staff, and volunteers:
- Take away breakfasts from 7:30am
- Take away lunches from 11:45am
- Lunches by gold coin donation
Having a daily meal and simple conversation around the dining table is a luxury that so many of us take for granted.
At Saint Patrick’s, their dedicated staff and team of volunteers work around-the-clock to provide healthy and nutritious meals Monday to Friday throughout the year.
Australia Red Cross Soup Patrol Fremantle
Soup Patrol is a mobile food service for people who are homeless, at risk of homelessness, socially disadvantaged, or on very low incomes. It is a ‘no questions asked’, volunteer-delivered service operating in Perth and Fremantle 7 nights a week, 365 nights a year.Fremantle Service (Monday to Sunday)
6:00pm: Beach Street
7:00pm: 100 Hampton Road
The service is free!