$2.6 Million Safe Night Space Announced for Rockingham Amidst Escalating Local Homelessness Crisis
A new 30-bed emergency shelter operated by The Crew offers a vital lifeline for rough sleepers, arriving just days after controversial camp evictions in Baldivis and a rejected proposal for Memorial Drive.
Wade McColl (15/09/2026)
Magenta Marshall MLA, Kendall Sowerby Chief Operating Officer at The Crew, Hon. Matthew Swinbourn. Photo: Facebook.
A major development has been announced for the ongoing homelessness crisis in Perth's southern suburbs. The Cook Labor Government has confirmed a $2.6 million investment to establish a new Safe Night Space in Rockingham, aiming to provide immediate shelter and long-term housing pathways for the region's most vulnerable residents.
A Crucial Lifeline for the Region
Delivered in direct partnership with local service provider The Crew and the City of Rockingham, this new low-barrier, trauma-informed facility will deliver essential overnight shelter seven days a week.
Operating from The Crew's existing premises in Rockingham's light industrial area, the expansion will provide critical services for those doing it tough, including:
Temporary Overnight Shelter: Accommodation for up to 30 people every night.
Essential Amenities: Access to hot morning and evening meals, along with shower and laundry facilities.
Daytime Support Services: Dedicated case management workers to connect individuals with healthcare, mental health, alcohol and drug support, and permanent housing pathways.
Backed by Trusted Local Hands
The initiative will operate in close collaboration with WA Police, the Department of Communities, and local community groups including St Pat's, Centrecare, and Homeless Healthcare. Full operations will be phased in once final approvals are processed by the City of Rockingham.
"The CREW has supported vulnerable people in our community for more than 20 years, and I’m pleased to see this trusted local organisation delivering the service," stated Rockingham MLA Magenta Marshall. "This is an important step towards helping people leave camp locations and access the consistent support they need to move into more stable accommodation."
Kendall Sowerby, Chief Operating Officer at The Crew, emphasized their grassroots approach to the crisis.
"We meet people where they're at and help them take the next step," Sowerby said. "We're really proud to partner with the Cook Labor Government to build on what's already happening at The Crew and expand our service so we can reach more people, provide more support, and make an even bigger difference in our community."
Arriving Amidst A Broader Crisis
Memorial Drive tents, City of Rockingham. Photo by Wade McColl, Baldivis Times, Memorial Drive, 2026.
While this funding is a massive victory for local advocates, it arrives during a deeply turbulent time for the region's rough sleepers.
Recently, an isolated group of rough sleepers near the Baldivis wetlands was reportedly served strict 48-hour move-on notices by City of Rockingham rangers. The notices ordered the removal of personal belongings, with failure to comply risking the impoundment of essential survival items, yet offered zero available crisis beds or relocation support. Former local politician Phil Edman publicly criticized the enforcement strategy, stating, "The State Government is now using the Local government to issue move-on notices... Gutless move by our Premier."
Furthermore, this 30-bed announcement follows a staggering 99-day wait during which the State Government officially rejected a local council resolution to repurpose empty Point Peron recreation camps. The empty, sheltered buildings were labeled "unsuitable" for emergency accommodation, leaving an estimated 250 rough sleepers stranded in freezing tents along Memorial Drive.
City of Rockingham Councillor Peter Hudson condemned the rejection, noting the severe reality of the demographic on the streets. "These are parents, grandparents, ADF veterans... Many are pensioners priced out of the rental market. This is life and death for some of these people," Cr Hudson said.
A Step Forward For Our Community
This new facility marks a phenomenal first step for the region. The Crew is an amazing organization that has been quietly doing the heavy lifting on the frontline for years, and they deeply deserve this state support to expand their vital work. While a 30-bed facility will not completely solve the staggering numbers seen at Memorial Drive, it remains a crucial, life-saving pathway forward for dozens of vulnerable locals who previously had nowhere else to turn.