It’s 9 o’clock on a cool autumn morning and one of Perth CBD’s biggest department stores is about to open its doors.

But before David Jones can welcome its first shoppers for the day, a security guard steps out to wake three men sleeping rough at the store’s entrance in the Hay Street mall.

They had spent the night huddled inside sleeping bags and under blankets, with doormats instead of beds.

High-profile Perth QC Tom Percy posted this photograph on Facebook yesterday, sparking debate about homelessness in one of the world’s “most liveable” cities.

“PERTH, 9am. Hay St Mall. Opening time at DJs. Move on time for those not lucky or affluent enough to be DJs customers. The real side of the pre-election economy,” he wrote.

Mr Percy told The Weekend West the image highlighted the failure of authorities to address homelessness.

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About 9000 people across WA are homeless, with more than 1000 sleeping rough, according to the 2016 census.

WA had the nation’s second-highest rate of people living on the streets and in tents — and the number is rising.

“The economy is really rooted and there are people sleeping on the doorstep of David Jones,” Mr Percy said. “That is the reality of the situation, not the rhetoric.

“It is something that I see all the time but it really struck me this morning with these three guys being hounded away by the security people.”

Mr Percy said the sight of people sleeping rough on a popular shopping strip was something that might be expected in San Francisco, not Perth.

“The reality of it is that people out there are really hurting and there are a lot of people suffering who we just turn a blind eye to,” he said.

“You can talk up the economy all you like but the reality of it is in Hay Street mall.”

Ruah Community Services chief executive Debra Zanella said anecdotal instances of the most chronic homelessness — rough sleeping — had increased in recent years.

She said the Hay Street photo was just one example of what was happening across the city every night.

“It is concerning and I think the reason it becomes an issue is because it is so visible,” she said. “People literally have to step over people. That is what is disturbing.”

Ms Zanella said homelessness was caused by a number of factors but a lack of affordable and appropriate social housing was one of the most significant.

City of Perth commissioner Andrew Hammond said homelessness was a complex social issue, evident in all capital cities. He said the City was working on a 10-year plan to end rough sleeping.

“The City of Perth is committed to assisting the sector to reduce and end rough sleeping, acknowledging that this commitment will benefit all people within the city; from the people requiring support, to business owners, residents, workers and visitors,” he said.

“West Australians who are at risk of or are experiencing homelessness are some of the most vulnerable and marginalised in our community, and require support from a range of appropriate and responsive services to end their homelessness journey.”

Community Services Minister Simone McGurk last year announced the McGowan Government would develop a 10-year strategy to fix the homelessness crisis.

David Jones did not respond to a request for comment.