REIWA CEO appointed to Advisory Group to address homelessness

REIWA CEO Cath Hart has welcomed the opportunity to work with government and community leaders from across the State to tackle homelessness, following her appointment to the Government’s new Housing First Homelessness Advisory Group.  

The McGowan Government has appointed 17 respected community and Government leaders, including experts and people with lived experience, to the Advisory Group, which will shape Western Australia's 10-Year Strategy on Homelessness 2020-2030.

“REIWA is acutely aware of the difficulties facing tenants and home owners amid the current housing crisis and we have a track record of working with our members and refuge centres to reduce homelessness,” Ms Hart said. 

“Through our Community REInvest program, we work with organisations like the Salvation Army, Anglicare WA and Orana House to help vulnerable tenants, particularly those affected by domestic violence, which is the number one cause of homelessness among women and children.

“We facilitate Tenancy Training to help those in need make the transition from crisis accommodation to a home in the private rental market, and we are in the unique position of being able to take it a step further by connecting them with our membership of property managers, to secure support from socially-conscious landlords.  

“Property managers, and landlords, find it very rewarding and I frequently see them go to extraordinary lengths to find somebody a home. They have helped dozens of people in the last year alone, and we are expanding the program in response to the crisis facing the community at this time.” 

Ms Hart said sleeping rough carried a stigma in society and attracted judgement, but anyone could easily become homeless.  

“A serious car accident, business failure, relationship breakdown, unemployment or bad health can change the direction of our lives,” she said. 

“None of these things reflect a person’s ability to be a quality tenant, but it does mean they often need a helping hand to get their lives back on track.” 

The Advisory Group will provide advice to Housing and Homelessness Minister John Carey. 

Ms Hart said REIWA would also share market insights and the experiences of its members with the Advisory Group to help shape practical reforms that would reduce rough sleeping. 

The other 16 other members of the Advisory Group are: 

• Mr Mike Rowe, Director-General of Communities (chair); 
• Mr Andrew Brien, Chief Executive Officer, City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder;
• Ms Bettina (Tina) Ugle, Managing Director, Noongar Mia Mia;
• Ms Corina Martin, Chief Executive Officer, Aboriginal Family Legal Service, Southern Aboriginal Corporation;
• Mr Daniel Morrison, Chief Executive Officer, Wungening Aboriginal Corporation;
• Mr David Pearson, Executive Officer, WA Alliance to End Homelessness and Chief Executive Officer, Australian Alliance to End Homelessness;
• Ms Debra Zanella, Chief Executive Officer, Ruah Community Services;
• Mr Jonathon Lake, Design Leader, Gresley Abas Architects;
• Ms Jude Thomas, Director Place and Community, City of Mandurah;
• Ms Kath Snell, Chief Executive Officer, Shelter WA;
• Ms Kim Robinson, Program Support Officer Social Policy, WACOSS;
• Ms Louise Olney, Director Building Communities, Minderoo Foundation;
• Mr Michael Chester, Co-Chief Executive Officer, Uniting WA;
• Ms Natalie Sangalli, General Manager, Housing Choices Western Australia Ltd;
• Ms Samantha Drury, Chief Executive Officer St Bartholomew's House (St Bart's); and
• Ms Sharon Gough, Chief Executive Officer, Indigo Junction.