Cabin Fever launches fundraiser for under-the-pump housing service Just Home Margaret River

This year’s Cabin Fever extravaganza has brought a serious touch to an issue affecting many in the region the festival calls home.

Festival organisers Ahoy Management teamed up with Busselton’s Shelter Brewing Co. to shine a light on the housing crisis by fundraising for beleaguered housing referral service Just Home Margaret River.

Noting that “everyone deserves shelter,” the fundraising push runs throughout the winter months when many people in the region were doing it tough.

The not-for-profit said estimates put up to 600 people in the community “on the brink of homelessness” while 150 people or families were suffering directly.

Just Home chair and former Shire of Augusta-Margaret River councillor Naomi Godden said the group started in 2017 as a grassroots “housing justice” organisation.

“When we receive donations, we’re able to employ staff, and co-ordinate activities in our community for housing justice,” Dr Godden said.

“So that might look like advocacy activities, meeting with Ministers, co-ordinating community awareness-raising events – a whole range of things we can do to try and improve the situation locally.”

Just Home has never received State Government funding, though Shire of Augusta-Margaret River grants have helped support the group’s housing information and referral service.

That service was slated to close at the end of next month, despite the State Government outlining $3.65 million in funding to homelessness support groups in the South West based in Busselton and Bunbury.

Organisers hoped the new fundraiser would help maintain the group’s presence in the region.

“When people don’t have a home base, they walk around in despair,” volunteer Stu Carrick said.

“You can get yourself an education, get employment, but when you don’t have a home you’re drifting from place to place.

“I truly believe everyone has a fundamental human right to housing, to have a safe and secure home.”

Shelter Brewing Co’s head brewer Jason Credaro said his company got involved in the campaign because of the obvious prevalence of housing stress affecting the South West.

“Just Home does terrific work supporting people experiencing homelessness, and as one of the only such organisations in the region, it’s important they are sufficiently resourced to carry out their work,” he said.

“Just Home is a volunteer organisation that relies on funding from the community to continues its great work, so raising awareness of what they do and the issues of homelessness is vital to helping ease the problem.”

To contribute, visit cabinfeverfest.com.au/everybody-deserves-shelter-this-winter.