MORE West Australians than ever are seeking help to survive on the streets or keep a roof over their heads.

St Vincent de Paul Society said over the past two months it had recorded a 10 per cent increase in demand for its services to deal with homelessness.

Vinnies’ youth homelessness services centre in Northbridge also had a 30 per cent rise in May, while its emergency relief costs were $400,000 over budget this financial year.

Evidence of the growing need in Perth CBD can be seen each Thursday evening on the corner of Wellington and Pier streets where about 150 people gather for the generosity offered by the Street Friends, a group of volunteers who provide meals, clothes and sleeping bags to those in need.

Camera Icon A large queue waits for food and drinks provided by Street Friends volunteers in Northbridge. Credit: News Corp Australia, Daniel Wilkins

“We started out giving about 10 people food and clothing and now it has escalated to about 150,” co-ordinator Michelle Dunlop, who started the group eight years ago, said.

“Every week we get depleted and then we rely on a miracle for that next week to get us through.”

Ms Dunlop said Bradford Insulation had donated materials for sleeping bags, but the growing demand meant her group desperately also needed warm clothing and blankets.

“Being homeless is a tough gig for these people and I just want to help make life a little bit easier for them,” she said.

“It is very gratifying. But it’s not about that, it’s about meeting a need. I am just grateful that I know that for that night they will be as warm as they can be.”

Camera Icon Stephen, 55, who has experienced homelessness on and off is grateful for the support of the Street Friends. Credit: News Corp Australia, Daniel Wilkins

Stephen, 55, who has attended Street Friends on Thursday nights for the past two years, described the volunteers as “saviours”.

“Without this sort of food, we’d be stealing from the shops and not managing very well,” Stephen said.

“I’m very grateful and very thankful to all the people that are taking on our despair, knowing they could be at home with their families but they are here with us.”

The latest census night data indicates there are about 10,000 people homeless on any given night in WA, with 930 sleeping rough, but charities say this is just the tip of the iceberg.

Camera Icon Street Friends volunteer Brenda Jury from hands out food. Credit: News Corp Australia, Daniel Wilkins

The Salvation Army’s Major Brad Watson said in recent years the number of rough sleepers in WA had increased by 17 per cent.

“Our numbers reflect this trend,” he said.

“Street-present people become more desperate for support to leave the streets as the weather becomes more severe.

“The recent Registry Week tells us around 453 people were sleeping rough in Perth, 80 per cent of whom were in the City of Perth itself.”

The Salvos’ Beacon centre in Northbridge has seen about six deaths in the past two years, while Vinnies was aware of one death on the streets since winter started.

Vinnies WA chief executive Mark Fitzpatrick said it was normal for a rise to occur heading into the winter months, but this year it was “even more pronounced”.

Camera Icon People sit down to eat food provided by the Street Friends, a volunteer group who help people experiencing homelessness. Credit: News Corp Australia, Daniel Wilkins

HOW YOU CAN HELP

-To volunteer or donate warm clothes or food to the Street Friends, contact Michelle Dunlop on 0407474201.

-To donate to St Vincent de Paul Society, go to vinnies.org.au

-To donate or volunteer with The Salvation Army, go to salvationarmy.org.au or contact the Perth Fortress Corps on 9260 9500.