With almost 10,000 people in Western Australia identifying as homeless at the last census, the lack of affordable and emergency housing in this state is becoming an issue we can no longer ignore.
A quarter of homeless people in WA are children and more than a third have been displaced by domestic violence.
But, while politicians debate the best way to tackle the problem amid dwindling government coffers, it is regular Western Australians who are rolling up their sleeves and making a difference.
Archdiocesan LifeLink agency, The Shopfront, based in Maylands, is a prime example of local people reaching out to those experiencing homelessness and other issues such as poverty, depression, loneliness, addiction and violence.
Serviced predominantly by volunteers, The Shopfront was founded in 2001 by now Archdiocesan Manager of Corporate Services Julie Fuge, following an initiative from Archbishop Emeritus Barry Hickey.
The agency is funded by Archdiocesan organisation LifeLink and aims to “relieve poverty and suffering in an environment that offers practical assistance, fellowship and hospitality”.
The Shopfront assists more than 3,000 people each year, many of whom are repeat visitors, by providing food, drinks, showers and clothes-washing facilities, networking with other agencies to meet people’s individual needs or simply lending a friendly ear.
Director Brian Tierney said respect for the equal dignity of every person was at the centre of The Shopfront’s mission.
“Not everyone who comes here is looking for practical assistance; some people are coming for friendship,” he said.
“That element of human contact is very important. A lot of what we do is meeting people and this might be the only occasion where people do talk to someone in a friendly way.”
One person who has benefited from The Shopfront’s help is 36-year-old Rosario Murace, who puts a human face on the statistic-laden issue of homelessness.
Mr Murace spoke to Archdiocesan Communications Manager Jamie O’Brien as part of the 2015 LifeLink Winter Appeal.
Originally from the Swan Valley, Mr Murace became homeless last year following a series of unfortunate events where he “lost everything”.
“It was horrible. I felt like no one cared about me,” he said.
“Every day that I was on the streets, I would look at people going home, walk past the houses and I could smell the cooking and I’d think of how they have a place to relax.
“I realised I couldn’t do this anymore, that it was time to get off the streets.”
After some six weeks living in tents and in a caravan park, Mr Murace found The Shopfront through a friend and said he was pleasantly surprised.
“Why would people help out like this?” he asked.
“When you live on the streets, you see a lot of homeless people and you think that’s how your life is going to be if you don’t do anything about it.
“That was enough for me to get myself into gear and do what I needed to do to survive.”
Mr Murace’s life is now back on track; he is currently studying at TAFE and has even taken up professional weightlifting again after a 10-year break.
Interestingly, it is not only people in need who benefit from The Shopfront.
The agency fosters reciprocal relationships between volunteers and visitors, many of whom display great humour, courage and resilience in the face of hardship.
“My experience here has been overwhelmingly positive,” said Anelia Irdi, a Shopfront volunteer of more than a decade.
“When I am here, I feel that I receive something. For those few hours, you’re totally divorced from your own world and you’re just focused on this part of life; your cares and worries just fade into insignificance.
“I’ve made some great friends among both the volunteers and Shopfront visitors.”
While the federal government has recently announced a new national working group on affordable housing, it is unknown whether this will translate into tangible benefits for people experiencing homelessness and poverty.
Whatever happens, it is comforting to know that The Shopfront will always be there to lend a hand.
LifeLink agencies such as The Shopfront deliver professional services and caring support to thousands of people in need throughout Western Australia each year. To donate to LifeLink, visit www.lifelink.com.au.
From page 16 and 17 from Issue 1: ‘The Year of Mercy: Seeking an Encounter with Christ’ of The Record Magazine