Date 30 July 2026 Category City news Topic Community wellbeing The City of Fremantle to shine a spotlight on both immediate support initiatives and long-term solutions to address homelessness across the community. Homelessness Week 2026 will run from 3–9 August under the national theme “Homelessness Action Now”, with the City of Fremantle shining a spotlight on both immediate support initiatives and long-term solutions to address homelessness across the community. While homelessness is often associated with people sleeping rough, it also includes those living in unsafe, insecure or inadequate housing. People experiencing homelessness come from all walks of life, and the causes are often complex, involving a combination of social, economic and health-related factors. Throughout Homelessness Week, the City will showcase how local government, community organisations, businesses and residents can work together to prevent homelessness, strengthen social connections and support vulnerable community members. Local Action Making a Difference A key event during the week will be the ‘Local Insights, Local Solutions’ Homelessness Week Panel Session, taking place on Thursday 6 August, bringing together experts and community leaders to discuss practical responses to homelessness in Fremantle. The City has an ongoing program called Library Connect, in collaboration with St Pat’s Community Support Centre (St Pat’s), that places a community support worker at the Fremantle Library, providing free advice, referrals and support in a safe and welcoming drop-in environment. Other City of Fremantle initiatives include: Access to tenant advocacy services through the Fremantle Community Legal Centre Fremantle Community Support Map, which provides a comprehensive list of local support services Promotion of WA Rent Relief Program, recently extended to June 2027, offering one-off payments to eligible tenants at risk of tenancy termination due to rent arrears Partnerships with Imagined Futures, St Pat’s Community Support Centre, and Homeless Healthcare to focus on early intervention and compassionate responses to homelessness in the local area. The proposed St Pat’s Respite Centre and community engagement activities opening during Homelessness Week Community Events and Services During Homelessness Week 2026 St Pat’s Aboriginal Justice Open Days The St Pat’s Aboriginal Justice team is hosting two open days in Fremantle, offering a convenient one-stop location where people can access a range of important services, including: Department of Transport and Major Infrastructure – Apply for a driver’s licence, WA Photo (ID) card, licence status queries and other information about licensing services Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages – Register your children’s births, apply for Birth, Death and Marriage Certificates and/or Change of Name application Fines Enforcement Registry – Assistance with fines and payment arrangements Services Australia, Centrelink – Identification support for licensing requirements Aboriginal Family Legal Service and other community support providers When: Tues 4 and Wed 5 Aug 2026 | 9am–3pm Where: St Patrick’s Community Support, 12 Queen Victoria St, Fremantle WA 6160 Breakfast Services in Fremantle A range of community organisations continue to provide regular food and support services throughout the week. Breakfast services will be served at: Beach Street Car Park Saturday | 6–8.30am with Give to be Given Sunday | 8–10am with Homeless Run Perth Fremantle Football Oval Wednesday | 9–10.30am with Cana Communities Dinner Services in Fremantle Dinner will be served at Beech Street Car Park: Daily | 6–6.30pm with Red Cross Soup Patrol Tuesdays | 7–8.30pm with Give to be Given Saturday and Public Holidays | 5–7pm with Global Mission United Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday | 6pm with Fremantle Street Kitchen Public Holiday services: 8am and 6pm Freo Street Doctor Mobile Health Services Free healthcare support continues to be available across Fremantle during Homelessness Week through the Freo Street Doctor service. Tuesday | 9.30am–12.30pm St Pat’s Community Centre, 12 Queen Victoria Street, Fremantle Wednesday | 9am–12pm Fremantle Oval (South Fremantle Oval, Parry Street) Thursday | 9.30am–12.30pm St Pat’s Community Centre, 12 Queen Victoria Street, Fremantle Friday | 11am–2pm Bruce Lee Oval Car Park, Beaconsfield (Corner Grosvenor Street and Caesar Street) How the Community Can Help Residents looking to support local homelessness services can contact organisations listed on the Fremantle Community Support Map to find out what donations are currently needed. St Pat’s Community Support Centre also accepts financial and in-kind donations to assist people experiencing hardship. Fremantle’s Ongoing Commitment The City of Fremantle remains committed to ensuring people experiencing homelessness can easily access support services, coordinating community providers to reduce duplication and improve outcomes, and advocating for greater investment in affordable housing and homelessness support across Western Australia. This work aligns with the WA Government’s 10-year homelessness strategy, All Paths Lead to a Home, which provides a whole-of-community framework for preventing and responding to homelessness across the state. As Homelessness Week 2026 approaches, let’s enact meaningful change by working together to support people doing it tough, acting early and ensuring everyone has a pathway to safe, secure housing. Image credit: Tony McDonough
