Surging demand prompts Vinnies WA to relocate its Joondalup Support Centre to larger site

Vinnies WA has moved its Joondalup Support Centre to a larger location as demand for emergency relief and financial counselling continues to rise.

Staffed by volunteers, the new centre at 5/209 Winton Road opened on Thursday, offering emergency relief for food, clothing, petrol and utility bills to anyone in the Joondalup community in need of assistance.

Vinnies WA says the new site offers more parking, improved accessibility, dedicated delivery access and increased storage capacity, enabling it to assist more people in the community.

The Support Centre also provides professional financial counselling and broader community support, including referrals and advocacy services.

The Catholic charity, officially known as the St Vincent de Paul Society, has been serving the WA community since 1865 and says demand for essential items such as food, clothing, fuel and utility bills has soared amid the ongoing cost-of-living and housing crises.

Vinnies WA service executive manager of community engagement services, Andrew York, said the Joondalup-Wanneroo region was among the fastest growing regions in WA and there had been a considerable increase in the number of local people experiencing homelessness.

“West Australians are facing mounting socio-economic pressures driven by rising living costs, housing insecurity and financial stress, and vulnerable groups in our community are disproportionately impacted,” Mr York said.

“Demand for emergency relief services from Vinnies WA is at an all-time high, and that increase is projected to grow further with another 47 per cent increase forecast in household assistance across WA by 2030.”

On Census night in 2021, an estimated 9700 people in WA were homeless. Of those, 2315 were sleeping rough.

Vinnies WA said in the previous financial year, the Joondalup Support Centre provided more than 2500 food hampers and vouchers to people in need, supporting nearly 700 families.

The first northern centre opened in 2021 to meet rising demand for emergency relief and to adapt to changes caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

There are other Vinnies Support Centres in Midland, Mandurah, Rockingham, Kwinana and the South-West.

The new Joondalup Support Centre is open Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays from 10am to 1pm.

Appointments are preferred and can be made by calling 1300 794 054 or emailing northerncentre.er@svdpwa.org.au.