A local council in Perth is employing potted plants as part of their efforts to discourage rough sleepers from occupying a well-known tourist spot.
The City of Fremantle has positioned two big potted lemon trees at the entrance to the former Hungry Jacks location on the bustling Cappuccino Strip with the aim of preventing rough sleepers from using the area as a makeshift shelter.
Roel Loopers from the local area stated that the site has turned into an eyesore for the neighborhood. However, they also advocated for finding a more effective approach rather than resorting to hostile architecture, which deters homeless individuals from utilizing public areas without causing discomfort to others.
“The site has been an eyesore, with two to three men occupying the space the whole day and making it look very messy,” he said.
Nonetheless, these individuals require somewhere to rest their heads.
As one homeless man told me, every time we try to find shelter somewhere, they push us away, making it an endless cycle.
We keep moving forward, being relocated, yet we aren’t offered genuine resolutions for a spot to rest. It truly is an enigma.
In a declaration furnished to WAtoday, The city mentioned that they had momentarily positioned two planters at the entrance of the former Hungry Jack’s location on South Terrace due to worries expressed by locals.
"This site has served as a refuge for an extended period, with residents persistently refusing entry to both state government agencies and non-profit assistance programs. Additionally, there has been a notable rise in disruptive conduct occurring at this site," the statement said.
The structure located on the Cappuccino Strip has recently drawn considerable interest, prompting nearby business proprietors to ask the city to take further action regarding the matter. This interim solution was implemented following discussions with the property owner based in Melbourne.
The local council mentioned they were consistently juggling the wishes of the public alongside empathy for those who are most at risk when making choices. They also stated their commitment to keep advocating and collaborating with relevant organizations to guarantee ongoing assistance remains available.
The City of Fremantle collaborates closely with various organizations and the WA Police to support individuals facing homelessness by linking them with nearby assistance programs.
The CEO of Shelter WA, Kath Snell, stated that it was consistently worrying whenever local councils designed or altered public areas in ways that effectively barred homeless individuals from accessing these spaces.
"Shelter WA does not support the use of hostile architecture or other policies that lack a person-centered approach or evidential backing, and merely shift the visibility of homelessness to different locations," she stated.
We urge local councils to collaborate with us and the State Government to address the underlying issues, offer support, and strive to eradicate homelessness.
“We also push for an increase in Safe Night Spaces throughout the state, providing individuals experiencing homelessness with a designated secure location to stay overnight, where they can additionally connect with essential support services.”
Snell emphasized that all individuals facing homelessness deserve to be treated with dignity and respect.
"People facing homelessness are part of our local community too, often relying on public spaces for resting or staying warm through the night. We should remember that everybody deserves a place they can call their own, and simply moving them along from these areas doesn’t address this basic need," she stated.
Greens MLC and ex-Fremantle mayor Brad Pettitt stated that such aggressive tactics towards homeless individuals are ineffective as they merely displace people to different locations without tackling the underlying issues causing the crisis.
"Western Australia leads the nation in terms of rough sleeping, and the blame for this current homelessness crisis—which isn’t limited to the City of Fremantle but spans the entire state—rests squarely with the state government. However, it’s the local councils that are most directly affected," he stated.
Western Australia faces a severe social housing shortage that has progressively worsened over many years... it is evident that immediate funding is required for emergency lodging and comprehensive support services to decrease the number of people homeless in urban areas.
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