Accordwest

08/10/2026

Supportive Housing combines long-term housing with the tailored support people need to maintain their tenancy, improve their wellbeing and build a brighter future. For people experiencing chronic homelessness and complex challenges, it is one of the most effective approaches available. Programs such as Perth's 50 Lives 50 Homes have demonstrated this impact, with 81% of participants maintaining their tenancy after one year.

A new paper from the Australian Alliance to End Homelessness, "Supportive Housing: The what, why and how", brings together the evidence and establishes a shared national definition of Supportive Housing. It highlights the opportunity for governments, community services, housing providers and local communities to work together to expand access to housing and support for those who need it most.

At Accordwest, we know that ending homelessness requires more than housing alone. By combining safe and secure housing with person-centred support, we can help people build stability, strengthen connections and achieve lasting outcomes.

Read the paper: aaeh.org.au/supportive-housing-paper-2026

01/10/2026

Thank you, Libby Mettam, for your ongoing advocacy and support in highlighting the housing and homelessness challenges facing communities across the South West, and for taking the time to join us at one of our community hubs during Connections Week.

By strengthening collaboration across local, State and national levels, we can build more effective pathways to support, informed by local data and community voices, and work towards lasting outcomes for people doing it tough.

25/09/2026

This week Accordwest was pleased to launch the Connections Week Report alongside our partners City of Busselton - Local Government, Anglicare WA, Lamp Inc. and Southern WA Salvos - Busselton

The report provides valuable insights into homelessness and housing insecurity in the Busselton region and represents a significant step forward in understanding local challenges and opportunities for action. The findings are drawn from the experiences of 86 people experiencing homelessness or severe housing instability and highlight the complex factors contributing to homelessness, including housing affordability, financial hardship, health concerns and family violence.

We would like to thank our partners, service providers, volunteers, community organisations, businesses, people with lived experience and everyone else who contributed to Connections Week. This work reflects a genuine collective effort to better understand local experiences and strengthen pathways to support.

A special thank you to Gloria Hill from Karri Karrak Aboriginal Corporation for delivering a meaningful Welcome to Country at the launch event and reminding us of the importance of recognising Country, culture and community in discussions about housing and wellbeing.

We were delighted to welcome Libby Mettam MLA, Member for Vasse, together with representatives from the Shire of Augusta Margaret River, Department of Communities WA, South West Development Commission, Shelter WA and Western Australian Alliance to End Homelessness. Their attendance demonstrated the shared commitment across government, community organisations and service providers to better understand local housing challenges and work together on meaningful solutions.

We also acknowledge the engagement of Minister for Community Services and Homelessness Matt Swinbourn MLC, Minister for Housing John Carey MLA , Minister for South West Don Punch MLA, Minister for Agriculture and Food, Fisheries, Forestry, Small Business and Mid West Jackie Jarvis MLC and Member for Forrest Ben Small MP. Although they were unable to attend the launch, each received and engaged with the report, reflecting the growing recognition of homelessness and housing insecurity as critical issues requiring coordinated action.

The report is not an endpoint. It provides a foundation for ongoing conversation, collaboration and evidence-based advocacy across our region. We look forward to continuing to work alongside our partners and the broader community to create positive change.

The report is not an endpoint. It provides a foundation for ongoing conversation, collaboration and evidence-based advocacy across our region. We look forward to continuing to work alongside our partners and the broader community to create positive change.

Read the report:
https://www.accordwest.com.au/busselton-connections-week-report/

15/09/2026

A huge thank you to our partners at Bunji for their generous donation of tents to support people experiencing homelessness in our community.

This practical contribution will help ensure individuals and families facing housing insecurity have access to shelter when they need it most. Donations such as these make a real difference and demonstrate the power of working together to support vulnerable members of our community.

We are grateful for Bunji's ongoing commitment to community wellbeing and for partnering with us to create positive outcomes for those doing it tough.

19/08/2026

Accordwest has welcomed the Federal Government’s announcement of more than $300 million through the Housing Australia Future Fund to deliver 520 homes for young people experiencing or at risk of homelessness across Australia.

Accordwest CEO Danelle Milward said:

"In the South West, we continue to see strong demand for youth housing and support services, and we know there are young people who would benefit from additional accommodation and support options. Continued investment in regional communities will help ensure more young people can access the support they need before crisis becomes entrenched."

Read more:

Accordwest has welcomed the Federal Government's announcement to deliver 520 homes for young people experiencing or at risk of homelessness.

19/08/2026

Accordwest delivers Emergency Relief services in Harvey on the 4th Wednesday of each month, between 10:00am and 12:00pm at the Harvey Resource Centre. Please note that times may occasionally vary.

If you're experiencing financial hardship and finding it difficult to afford essential items, our team may be able to help.

✅ Assistance may include:
• Woolworths vouchers
• Foodbank vouchers and referrals
• Part-payment of selected invoices

Our Emergency Relief service is available to eligible residents of the Bunbury, Capel, Dardanup, and Harvey Shires.

📞 To book an appointment at the Harvey Resource Centre, please contact us: (08) 9729 9000 or free call 1800 115 799
Harvey Community Resource Centre

17/08/2026

📢 Professional Development Opportunity for Family Violence Practitioners

Join internationally respected trainer and family violence specialist Ken McMaster for an engaging, evidence-informed workshop: Motivational Interviewing in Family Violence Practice.

This interactive training will explore:
✅ Practical Motivational Interviewing techniques
✅ Strategies to strengthen engagement and reduce resistance
✅ Approaches to increasing readiness for change
✅ Application of MI in case management, intake, assessment and group work settings

With more than 30 years' experience across family violence intervention, corrections and social services, Ken is renowned for translating theory into practical, real-world application.

📍 15 Forrest Avenue, South Bunbury
⏰ 9:00am – 4:30pm

Don't miss this opportunity to strengthen your practice and enhance your impact when working with people who use family violence.


Tickets here:

17/08/2026

A huge thank you for making Connections Week possible!

Connections Week in Busselton was all about bringing people together, creating connections and making sure people experiencing or at risk of homelessness know they are not alone.

We want to say a heartfelt thank you to every partner, supporter, volunteer, organisation and generous donor who helped make the week happen.

From providing spaces and resources, to spreading the word, giving their time, donating and simply showing up: every contribution helped make Connections Week stronger.

We are incredibly grateful to everyone who came together across Busselton to support the week and help connect people with their community and the support available to them.

Thank you for being part of Connections Week and for helping us work towards a more connected, compassionate community.

Donations:

Rotary Club of Busselton Geographe Bay: Swags
Mitre 10 Busselton: Tarps & Butane Cans
Corrynne's Natural Skincare: Soaps
Dunsborough Vet Clinic: Pet food, toys, dog leaders & collars.
Woolworth's Dunsborough: Dry food goods
Coles Busselton: Food vouchers
GIVIT: Food vouchers

Partners:
City of Busselton - Local Government Youth Precinct & Rangers
Anglicare WA South West
Southern WA Salvos - Busselton
Lamp Inc

Supporters:
Apex Club of Busselton: Sausage Sizzle
Lions Club of Busselton Inc : Sausage Sizzle
St Mary's Anglican Church Busselton: Community Dinner
St Mary's Anglican Church Busselton: Mana & Mercy Meal
Bay Life Uniting Church: Community Meal
Hairdresser Lynnley
headspace Busselton
Cancer Council WA
Relationships Australia
Workskill Busselton
Peer Based Harm Reduction WA
Southwest Community Alcohol and Drug Service
Department of Housing and Works
Communicare – Tuart House

10/08/2026

Connections Week Busselton brought together five events across five days, with more than 10 community and local government organisations working together to listen, connect and better understand the experiences of people experiencing homelessness.

The week highlighted the power of collaboration, when community organisations, local government and people with lived experience come together, we can create stronger connections and better outcomes.

It also showcased the incredible resilience of people experiencing homelessness, and the importance of creating spaces where their voices and experiences are heard.

But the conversation doesn’t stop here.

The next step is to bring together the data, insights and stories captured throughout Connections Week into a report that will showcase the key findings and experiences from across the week.

We’ll then launch the report to share these findings with the wider community and help inform future conversations and action around homelessness in the region.

Thank you to everyone who contributed to making Connections Week such a meaningful week of connection, collaboration and community.

Thanks to the team at Anglicare WA South West and Salvation Army Busselton for image permissions.