- Boorloo Bidee Mia marks two-years of success during Homelessness Week 2023
- It has assisted more than 35,000 combined nights of accommodation for residents since launching in 2021
Boorloo Bidee Mia (BBM) has marked its second year of successful operation during Homelessness Week 2023, with the culturally appropriate, Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation led service, helping to deliver life-changing support to some of Perth’s most vulnerable rough sleepers.
As one of the Cook Labor Government’s homelessness reforms, Boorloo Bidee Mia is providing residents with the support they need to transition out of homelessness and into stable, long-term accommodation.
The name, Boorloo Bidee Mia, represents “Perth pathway to housing” in Whadjuk Noongar language. Under the leadership of Wungening Aboriginal Corporation (Wungening), in partnership with Noongar Mia Mia, the facility has supported more than 35,000 combined nights of accommodation for residents since launching in 2021.
In keeping with the complex needs of chronic rough sleepers, Boorloo Bidee Mia operates as a low-barrier service model.
Dr Amanda Stafford,the Clinical Lead of the Royal Perth Hospital Homeless Team,has stated that since theopeningof Boorloo Bidee Mia, people who were previouslyrough sleeping and are now accommodated at BBM, are coming to the Royal Perth Hospital Emergency Department far less frequently, and with less serious issues. This is as a result of their improved health and more stable social situation.
The success of this model has seen the State Government transform the former Murray Hotel in West Perth, with St. Vincent de Paul Society WA (Vinnies WA) recently confirmed as the Community Housing Organisation chosen to manage the new service.
Boorloo Bidee Mia is a key initiative of the State Government’sAll Paths Lead to a Home: Western Australia’s 10-Year Strategy on Homelessness.
As stated by Homelessness Minister John Carey:
“Our Government is focused on delivering an evidence-based Housing First Approach that provides suitable and culturally appropriate accommodation, with intensive wrap-around supports for the most vulnerable members of our community.
“We continue to deliver significant investments, with a record $2.6 billion in State Government funding committed to housing and homelessness measures over four years including funding for Boorloo Bidee Mia.
“I want to acknowledge and congratulate Daniel Morrison and everyone at Wungening Aboriginal Corporation and Noongar Mia Mia for the brilliant results they are achieving through Boorloo Bidee Mia.
“Boorloo Bidee Mia is a transformational and life-changing service model and the Cook Labor Government is proud to be a supporting partner.”
As stated by Daniel Morrison, CEO Wungening Aboriginal Corporation:
“Boorloo Bidee Mia is the first service of its kind to be led by Aboriginal people, for Aboriginal people.”
“Two years on, we continue to be immensely proud of the meaningful change we are helping lead for vulnerable community members.
“Boorloo Bidee Mia has been transformational for so many people. It demonstrates what can be achieved when Government and community service groups work in partnership.”
