- Homelessness Week is being held nationally from 3-9 August 2026
- Theme of Stronger Workforce, Stronger Community aligns with Cook Labor Government’s vision to ensure every Western Australian has a place to call home
- Cook Labor Government has invested $10.8 billion in social housing and homelessness measures since 2021
The Cook Labor Government is reaffirming its commitment to ensuring every Western Australian has a home, as Homelessness Week 2026 begins today.
Running nationally from 3-9 August, the theme for this year’s Homelessness Week is Stronger Workforce, Stronger Communities.
The Cook Labor Government continues to invest in the community services sector to ensure people experiencing or at risk of homelessness receive sustainable supports that centre around the individual’s needs.
Recent investments include the 112-unit Common Ground in East Perth, where the first tenants moved in earlier this year, and the 50-unit Mandurah Common Ground, which is under construction.
These initiatives, along with the funding of more than 130 services delivering critical homelessness supports across WA, complement the government’s record $10.8 billion commitment to deliver housing and homelessness-related initiatives since 2021, which has delivered more than 3,100 additional social homes.
A total of $103.7 million has been invested in housing support and homelessness initiatives was made in the 2026-27 State Budget, including:
- $27.8 million for homelessness accommodation services;
- $20.3 million to address youth homelessness;
- $12.5 million to operate the Perth Aboriginal Short Stay Accommodation;
- $12.5 million for the Safe Night Space for Women;
- $10.9 million to support the Kalgoorlie Boulder region; and
- $8.2 million to continue the successful expansion of the Entrypoint assessment and referral service.
Other major investments in homelessness measures by the Cook Labor Government this year include:
- $18 million for Booraka Danjoo, supporting Aboriginal-led homelessness outreach services in the Perth metropolitan area;
- $7 million to refurbish Wyn Carr House and build a 12-unit transitional accommodation facility for vulnerable older women;
- $4.27 million to develop 12 dwellings in Albany for people experiencing or at risk of homelessness, delivered by “My Home” Australasia; and
- $1.6 million to extend the life of 55 Central’s 24-bed crisis accommodation complex in Maylands for men experiencing homelessness, as well as $989,944 from Lotterywest for the refurbishment and fit out of crisis accommodation and the establishment of the Grow and Grind social enterprise cafe at the East Perth Common Ground.
The Cook Labor Government’s efforts to improve outcomes for Western Australians experiencing or at risk of homelessness are underpinned by All Paths Lead to Home: Western Australia’s 10-Year Strategy on Homelessness 2020-2030 , which sets out a whole-of-community plan to address homelessness across WA.
As stated by Homelessness Minister Matthew Swinbourn:
“This Homelessness Week, the Cook Labor Government is reaffirming its commitment to see as many Western Australians have a place to call home.
“Guided by the lived experiences of those experiencing or at risk of homelessness and our 10-Year Strategy, we have continued to deliver significant investment in the sector, including $103.7 million in the 2026-27 Budget for housing supports and homelessness measures.
“Our Housing First Approach, which aims to see people not only obtain accommodation but receive tailored supports that assist them in sustaining it, continues to underpin our decisions and our investment.
“With $10.8 billion invested in housing and homelessness measures since 2021, the government remains steadfast in supporting people and families facing homelessness right across WA.”
