Beaufort Street is on its knees, the formerly vibrant strips of Fremantle and Subiaco have seen

better days, and now, according to Mr Barlow, Perth’s CBD is dying.

Empty shops, exorbitant parking fees and constant roadworks were cited by the prominent Perth
businessman as reasons behind his shop’s closure and the slow death of the city.

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But it was Mr Barlow’s reference to “rampant homelessness” that struck a nerve with me.

People sleeping rough in the CBD “made some people feel unsafe,” he said.

It’s a common complaint, and I’m not having a go at Mr Barlow for putting into words what so many people
think as they walk past yet another huddled mass tucked into a city doorway.

I just want to set some things straight.

If you are one of the 9500 people in Western Australia with no place to call home tonight, you are far more
likely to be the victim of a violent crime than any of us who have safe places to sleep.

Statistics released by WA’s peak body advocating for affordable housing and ending homelessness, Shelter
WA, show more than 52 per cent of rough sleepers had reported being a victim of assault since becoming
homeless.

Think about that for a moment.

It means every second rough sleeper you come across as you walk through the Perth CBD has been attacked
on the streets.

Compare that to how many victims of violent crime you personally know of in your everyday life.

Is it really us who should be scared of homeless people?

What are we afraid of?

Even without the constant threat of violence hanging over their heads, people experiencing homelessness are
at greater risk of physical illnesses including cancer, heart disease and diabetes.

These same people are much more likely to develop – or to already suffer from – significant mental
illnesses, with up to 40 per cent of homeless people winding up in our emergency departments with mental
health concerns.
Add to this a community perception that homeless people represent a danger to the general public, and it’s
not hard to see why so many rough sleepers have lost hope in ever finding a home, or ever being able to lead
a life free from fear.