Reference: 2012-015 - East Kimberley Homelessness Project

Researchers: Rachelle Irving, Giancarlo Mazzella (EKCDEP)

Funding: FaHCSIA

Project summary: The East Kimberley Homelessness Project will define the nature and extent of homelessness in the East Kimberley region, with a view to informing the East Kimberley Homelessness Plan. This Plan is part of the larger Implementation Plan as part of the National Partnership Agreement on Homelessness between the Commonwealth of Australia and Western Australia. The project is being managed and driven by staff appointed to East Kimberley Community Development Employment Program through funding from the Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs.

Given that the majority of people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness in the East Kimberley are Aboriginal, the definition for homelessness will incorporate that developed by Keys Young (1998) which goes beyond the traditionally used primary, secondary and tertiary homelessness. The definition to be used in this project is Indigenous specific and will include those who are affected by spiritual homelessness; overcrowding; relocation and transient homelessness; escaping from unsafe and unstable homes; and lack of access to stable shelter.

The research stage will involve consultation with NGOs, government department staff and community members about the current issues and barriers facing people living in the East Kimberley who are homeless or at-risk of homelessness. The surveys for the NGOs and government representatives are currently in the field and it is already clear that homelessness is a major issue in the East Kimberley, with overcrowding and lack of housing the major themes. The most important part of the project will be consultation with the community to ensure that the views and experiences of the people most affected by homelessness are driving the future East Kimberley Homelessness Plan. The community interviews will be conducted on country talking to people about their concerns and thoughts about solutions to the problems regarding overcrowding, housing and homelessness.

The Project will culminate in a number of recommendations which will be based on the research findings. It is likely that some of these recommendations will be acted upon within the project period, prior to 30 June 2012 while others will require considerable funding and system level changes into the future.

Progress: Completed in 2013