Zero Project tackles homelessness in Geraldton through a collaborative approach with multiple providers

A joint project last week to help the homeless, by giving them copies of their ID documents so they can go on to housing waitlists, saw more than 50 rough sleepers walk through the door. It also resulted in almost 20 people being added to the public housing waiting list or completing necessary paperwork for bond assistance for private rentals. With a lack of documentation known to be a big stumbling block in the homeless community, Connect ID, as part of RUAH’s Zero Project, was held on Thursday to make that process a little easier. Rough sleepers were offered the opportunity to gain identification documents, financial assistance, and housing services in one place. Food was provided from sandwiches and soups, while the WA Country Health Service offered COVID vaccinations for people in need throughout Geraldton. Department of Communities, Department of Transport, Deaths and Marriages, Regional Alliance West, Aboriginal Family Legal Service, Geraldton police, Mission Australia and Foodbank were some of the major players involved on the day. The homeless community invited to the event included those squatting at the derelict Batavia Motor Inne, with some of those individuals coming to the Fresh Christian Fellowship looking for a helping hand. Zero Project manager Michala McMahon said people had come to Geraldton and ended up stuck with the lack of short and long-term accommodation. “People have rough slept rather than on the esplanade, instead they’ve found shelter in a derelict hotel that unfortunately is not safe,” she said. “We brought everybody together and this was an identified gap — that people weren’t actually able to be put on the housing register — because they didn’t have an application.” Zero Project saw the majority of squatters from the Batavia Motor Inne attend, with many participating and receiving support. With more than 50 people walking through the doors, many were able to receive forms of identification for the first time and as a result be put on the public housing waiting list. Housing First Homelessness Initiative support co-ordinator Melissa Wharekawa said preparing the required documents and filing housing applications was most important. “Our aim is to get absolutely as many people as we can to get their ID, to go through the services, and most importantly to prioritise their housing applications.” Homeless advocate and unemployed jobseeker Chrissy Boddington was at the event, and said the homeless squatters at the Batavia Motor Inne were in need of help and this initiative was one way of helping them. “They don’t have their families, so that group of homeless people stick with each other, they protect each other,” she said. A Department of Communities spokesperson said the outreach efforts were successful and saw a number of community members receive assistance. “Eighteen individuals who attended the event were assisted by Communities, including 12 new applications for public housing and seven bond loan applications to assist individuals with securing private rental accommodation,” they said. “Documentation should not be a barrier to seeking assistance from Communities and where individuals do not have the required documents, we have alternative options for Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander clients and clients in extenuating circumstances. Geraldton police made an out-of-uniform appearance, and Sen. Const. Charlie Comeagain said it was fantastic to see so many of those sleeping rough show up to receive support. “Seeing those people here today receive support, it has given them some light at the end of the tunnel getting on the housing lists,” he said. Pastor Will Taylor said the church helped those at the Batavia on a weekly basis, and hoped that the Connect ID event wouldn’t be a one-off. “If you do it once, it’s more about glorifying the agencies than giving to the needy,” he said. As at April 30, there were 841 applications for public housing with a preference zone of Geraldton, of which 155 were priority listed, according to the Department of Communities.