A small city in Western Australia's south-west has taken the unusual step of installing a transportable open-air shelter in a city car park, in a new approach to homelessness.

Key points: The Bunbury Council has built a basic shelter inside a city carpark to support its local homeless community

The Bunbury Council has built a basic shelter inside a city carpark to support its local homeless community The shelter has an open side to prevent the feeling of claustrophobia that homeless people can feel

The shelter has an open side to prevent the feeling of claustrophobia that homeless people can feel While well-received, one homeless advocate said the conversation about supporting homeless needed to be ongoing

The City of Bunbury council had been frustrated with people sleeping at a local soundstage — The Graham Bricknell Music Shell — but rather than moving them on, spent $15,000 on an open-faced donga in a city carpark, which was installed this week.

The local homeless community said it was pleased the council had sought their input, rather than hide the problem.

But housing advocacy groups say a more coordinated approach was needed to give people homes, rather than just shelter.

Shelter makes homeless feel welcome

Will Laughton, 41, said he had been homeless for about five years.

He said while it was a "step forward" rather than a solution, being consulted over the new shelter made him feel more welcome.

"I find sometimes during the daytime I like to have a bit of a nap and I find I get woken up and asked to move on," he said.

"And I feel here we're not going to have this problem. I'm feeling I'm not getting in the way.

"I found staying at the Shell, there was a few people walk through during the night, you know, wake us up and stuff. Here it's a bit more inclusive.

"It's just that feeling of warmth, as well, of community, with the council and the city."

But Mr Laughton said he still needed a permanent home, adding that there was a long social housing wait list for single men.

Members of Bunbury's homeless community said they appreciated being approached by the council rather than driven away from the CBD. ( ABC South West: Georgia Loney )

'Safe spaces' required

Bunbury Mayor Gary Brennan said the idea for a basic shelter, which had no amenities and was open on one side, was suggested earlier this year.

The notion was partly to address the issue of homeless people sleeping at the Music Shell.

Mr Brennan said the transportable shelter would be maintained by the council and was close to nearby public toilets and showers.

"It's not a solution, but it's better than those poor guys sleeping at the Bricknell sound shell," he said, adding that the Salvation Army was also working with the homeless community, while a local soup van would also visit.

"It's the least we can do."

He said that share accommodation was not always an option for the homeless for a range or reasons, including mental health issues.

"They feel fairly claustrophobic with a fully enclosed room, or house," he said.

'This is a good outcome for them.

"It's not ideal from a society point of view, but it's something we thought we should do and we've done it."



The council has also installed homeless lockers, an initiative proposed by local student Bella Bergemeister.

Bella Burgemeister, 13, has championed several local projects to help Bunbury's homeless community. ( Supplied: Bella Burgemeister )

Push for 'Housing First' approach

Homeless advocacy group Shelter WA described the basic transportable shelter as a new initiative, saying she was unaware of it being done anywhere else in the state.

But acting chief executive, Lisa Kazalac, said a coordinated approach was needed across all levels of government to deal with increasing levels of homelessness.

She pushed for the Housing First model to be considered, where people were put into homes and provided with wrap-around services, to ensure they could maintain that home.

"We think everyone in Australia should have a place to call home," Ms Kazalac said.

But she said any attempt to address the problem was better than nothing.

"It's important to note that a temporary solution is good. You know, one step forward, but we now need to keep the conversation going," Ms Kazalac said.