Joint Statement with ABC Radio: Radiothon to support West Australians facing homelessness

As WA heads into this festive season in the grip of a housing crisis, Anglicare WA has partnered with ABC Radio to bring the community together to support those with no safe place to call home through the ABC WA Gives Radiothon. 

For 13 hours next Thursday, 2 December, ABC Perth will pause its normal local programming for the WA Gives Radiothon, with all funds raised going to Anglicare WA frontline services supporting Western Australians hit by hardship. 

Anglicare WA is the state’s largest community service provider, supporting more than 60,000 people across the State, and delivering more than 89 services in 74 locations.  

Anglicare WA CEO Mark Glasson welcomed the support of ABC Radio WA to bring Western Australians together to help those hit hardest by COVID-19 and the housing crisis. 

“2021 has quite simply been the ‘Year of Despair’,” said Mr Glasson. “I have never seen so many people facing homelessness and hardship to this extent.  

“There just aren’t enough homes to house everyone in WA, so we are seeing people who have never experienced housing insecurity, with no housing options. They are homeless.  
These are people with jobs, good rental histories, and we are paying their car registration fees so they have somewhere safe to sleep. 

“Housing instability and homelessness has broad-reaching impacts, so we’re also seeing family breakdowns on the rise, increased family and domestic violence, and a rapid rise in mental health issues.” 

Anglicare WA anticipates an increase in demand for its services over Christmas and into January as the bills begin to arrive.  

ABC Radio Perth presenter Geoff Hutchison said every program is looking forward to getting behind the Radiothon to help make a difference in the lives of Western Australians who need it most. 

“This year has been a difficult year for many of us - including our team here at the ABC in recent weeks – so we’re looking forward to suspending usual programming to bring the community together to support West Australians with literally no safe place to call home right now. 

“We’re also thrilled to give back to our listeners, with our Money Can’t Buy Experiences. Each program will be giving a prize away every hour across Radiothon – and to enter all you have to do is donate to ABC WA Gives, and when we put out the call, text us with that hour’s code word. 

“It will be a lot of fun, and more importantly for a very good cause.” 

To donate, visit the ABC Radio Perth website and click on the link to WA Gives.