In the News: Dark side of housing crisis adding pressure on family breakdowns in Margaret River region

Augusta Margaret River Times 8 August 2025

Summary

Families in Augusta, Margaret River, Dunsborough, and Busselton are struggling to find housing during relationship breakdowns, with the shortage of rentals forcing some to relocate far from home. Crisis accommodation remains limited, and local leaders warn that the “face of homelessness” now includes people experiencing housing insecurity for the first time. Calls for greater State Government action have intensified.

Key Points

• Lack of affordable rentals is compounding stress for families during separations, with some forced to seek housing as far as Mandurah.

• State Government has addressed family violence crisis accommodation but not the broader impact on families undergoing change.

• Shire President Julia Meldrum: rise in first-time homelessness; urges State action.

• Bevan Eatts MLA: little progress on emergency housing in the region under Labor, with focus on Perth and Bunbury.

• Just Home Margaret River chair Ned Reilly: crisis caused by long-term underinvestment; end of State funding for Housing Information and Referral Services has left a gap in local support.