The City of Perth’s two-month trial of a Safe Night Shelter for men at Citiplace Community Centre will commence this evening, Monday 19 July.
The Safe Night Shelter will be available seven days a week from 10pm to 6.30am, providing a place for men experiencing homelessness to shelter from the weather, rest and connect to other services in a secure environment.
The Safe Night Shelter will be operated by St Bart’s on a referral-only basis from homeless support services, WA Police and City of Perth Rangers.
City of Perth Lord Mayor Basil Zempilas said the Safe Night Shelter offers a necessary interim solution to provide basic shelter and safety for men sleeping rough.
“While the responsibility for funding homeless services is primarily that of the State and Federal Governments, the City of Perth recognises that people who experience homelessness need support now and this is what we will deliver through the Safe Night Shelter over the next two-months,” Lord Mayor Basil Zempilas said.
“It is our intention to keep the Men’s Shelter open until such time as the State Government’s recently announced Boorloo Bidee Mia homelessness service opens.
“We welcome the State Government’s entry into this vital interim space.”
St Bart’s CEO Samantha Drury said St Bart’s has been working for over 50 years to help those in need in Perth.
“Having provided shelter to vulnerable people in Perth since 1963, we see our involvement in the Safe Night Shelter as a continuation of our services and are pleased to be partnering with the City of Perth on this important initiative,” St Bart’s CEO Samantha Drury said.
Each night up to 15 men, aged 18 years and over, will be able to stay at the Safe Night Shelter, which will consist of comfortable chairs, beanbags and mats to encourage rest.
Daytime operations of the Citiplace Community Centre will not be affected.
This is the City of Perth’s second Safe Night Space. Since it’s opening in late May, the Safe Night Space for women has provided a secure and warm shelter on over 400 occasions.
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Issued by: Hannah Marcuson, Media and Public Affairs Advisor, 0417 228 103, Hannah.Marcuson@cityofperth.wa.gov.au
St Bart’s acknowledges the traditional custodians of the land that we live and work on, the Whadjuk people of the Noongar nation. We are privileged to work with, and alongside, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and we pay our respects to Elders past, present and encourage those who are emerging as leaders.
St Bart’s is committed to diversity and inclusion in all its forms. We welcome and support the health and wellbeing of all people, regardless of background, age, ethnicity, religion and gender identity.