As WA faces a rise in calls to shelters and tenancy services, there is one cohort of West Australians who are completely unaccounted for in Health and Housing data — people living with Chronic Hoarding habits.
In fact, there has been no major WA, or Federal review, of Health policy for Chronic Hoarding in the last seven years — let alone since the start of Covid.
D-Clutter Bugs Managing Consultant Ms. Lea Davidson says the current landscape is causing huge amounts of concern.
“The one common thing I am seeing and hearing from people lately is that there is absolutely no certainty surrounding anything,” Ms. Davidson said.
“If you consider the number of eviction notices being received right now, we’re basically throwing some of the most vulnerable people into the deepest end of the pool, without even a flyer.”
This lack of certainty is an unnecessary burden, and not only for those living with Chronic Hoarding habits during a Lockdown who may be facing eviction or intervention orders.
This same lack of certainty – and complete lack of data – also hinders the ability of health organisations and real estate agents to cooperate or otherwise harmonise their efforts in providing ongoing supports.
“We hear a lot of talk about inter-agency Collaboration, but right now, there’s nothing to realistically collaborate on at all,” Ms. Davidson said.
The last time WA launched a major attempt to address the prevalence of Chronic Hoarding in WA was in 2013 — and only as part of a nation-wide strategy.
Practitioners in WA currently rely on a Local Government toolkit from 2013.
D-Clutter Bugs provide De-Cluttering and Home Organising & Cleaning services in the WA Metropolitan area.
D-Clutter Bugs Managing Consultant Lea Davidson is a lifetime Member of the Port School Association for youth at risk of disengaging with education; and has worked for over fifteen years in the cleaning and domestic support sectors.
Media Contact — Mr. Jonathon Davidson | 0410537245
D-Clutter Bugs Professional Organisers 