Our Story

Just Home Margaret River is a grassroots, not for profit organisation that has been around for over 11 years. We are a small place-based organisation, informed by People with Lived Experience (PwLE) of homelessness located in the Shire of Augusta Margaret River (AMR) area, Southwest Western Australia. We are committed to housing equity for all people in our community.

Just Home’s work advocates to enhance homelessness services, whilst expanding social and affordable housing in AMR is critical, at a time when many workers cannot afford to rent in this region. Just Home has consistently been at the forefront of efforts to provide compassionate, practical solutions that have a profound impact on people who are most vulnerable in the AMR community.

Just Home | Since 2015

Our story so far…

2015
May 1
A community conversation begins
A community conversation begins

Community members facilitate and document a community conversation with people experiencing homelessness and housing stress and Shire of Augusta Margaret River.

May 2
Just Home forms
Just Home forms

People with Lived Experience and allies form Just Home to address homelessness and housing insecurity in AMR.

June 1
Shire includes homeless in role

Just Home successfully lobbies AMR Shire to include homelessness in its responsibilities.

December 1
Shire adopts Affordable Housing Strategy

AMR Shire adopts Affordable Housing Strategy, which includes mention of homelessness due to Just Home advocacy.

2016
April 1
Understanding local experiences and needs
Understanding local experiences and needs

Just Home facilitates community workshops with people experiencing homelessness to understand local experiences and needs.

June 1
Just Home produces research report

Just Home produces research report Understanding and addressing homelessness and crisis accommodation in Augusta Margaret River for AMR Shire.

July 1
Action Plan for Housing Justice

Just Home develops AMR 10-year Action Plan for Housing Justice.

July 2
Weekly breakfasts at Soupie

Just Home volunteers begin holding weekly breakfasts at Soupie.

October 1
Shire adopts Homelessness and Crisis Accommodation Policy

AMR Shire adopts Homelessness and Crisis Accommodation Policy, which is co-written with Just Home.

2017
January 1
Free showers and laundry

Margaret River Community Centre establishes free shower and laundry for people in insecure housing.

February 1
Homelessness and Affordable Housing Working Group

AMR Shire and Just Home form Homelessness and Affordable Housing Working Group.

May 1
New office

Just Home Margaret River Inc. incorporates and establishes office at Margaret River Community Centre.

July 1
Housing Advocacy Project commences

3-year Housing Advocacy Project commences, with part-time Housing Advocacy Officer supporting community members experiencing or at risk of homelessness.

August 1
Homelessness Week launches

Homelessness Week event launches the Housing Advocacy Project.

December 1
Volunteer of the Year

Stuart Carrick (Just Home committee member) named 2017 AMR Shire Volunteer of the Year.

2018
February 1
Local Planning Scheme review

Just Home participates in review of AMR Shire’s Local Planning Scheme.

June 1
Deductible Gift Recipient status

Just Home registers as a Charity with Deductible Gift Recipient status.

June 1
Local needs identified

Health and Community Service Access Mapping report identifies AMR needs for emergency and crisis accommodation, more low cost and social housing, wrap-around services for community members to maintain tenancy, and a community social worker.

July 1
41 people supported

Housing Advocacy Project supports 41 community members in first year.

August 1
Couch Conversations

Just Home hosts Couch Conversations for Homelessness Week.

2019
February 1
Gimme Shelter fundraiser

Gimme Shelter fundraising concert at The River.

March 1
Mental Health and Wellbeing Report

Mental Health and Wellbeing in the Shire of Augusta Margaret River report recognises widening socioeconomic divide and housing stress in AMR.

April 1
Tenancy WA Conference

Just Home facilitates workshop on community-led movements for housing justice at Tenancy WA conference.

April 1
WA Parliamentary Inquiry into Short-Stay Accommodation

Just Home provides evidence to WA Parliamentary Inquiry into Short-Stay Accommodation.

July 1
Music Wiz fundraiser

Music Wiz fundraiser at Settlers Tavern.

August 1
Public forum held

Just Home facilitates public forum on domestic violence, crisis accommodation and homelessness.

December 1
Social housing workshop

Just Home, AMR Shire and Arup co-facilitate a two-day social housing workshop with People with Lived Experience and social housing providers.