For 40 years, Accordwest has been a beacon for hope and support in the South West, steadfast in our belief that every story matters, no matter how big, how small, or who is telling the story. Your stories have motivated us to be better, do better, support more people, give voice to those who aren’t heard, and spark real positive change.
As we look back on our journey together, we’re proudly celebrating 40 years of walking “Side By Side” with the South West community. “Side By Side” if you have been sleeping rough. “Side By Side” when you’re doing it tough. “Side By Side” when relationships fall apart. “Side By Side” when you need a fresh start.
Celebrating your “Side of the Story”
As part of the celebrations, we’re holding an event on September 27, 2024, where past Accordwest clients are invited to join us to connect and share their stories.
Stories of hope
Maybe you’re one of the many young people in the South West who have found themselves on the verge of experiencing homelessness, and turned your life around after a stay at our Bunyap facility?
Stories of love
Perhaps your experience working with our programs changed your entire outlook on parenting and helped your family become stronger, happier and more resilient and most importantly more loving, tolerant and supportive of one another?
Stories of redemption
It could be that you’ve successfully returned to community after time in prison and have since gone on to live the life you chose to live and achieve incredible things with your family, work life or living in your local community?
There have been so many inspiring stories across the years and we’d love to reconnect and hear yours. Stories may be shared on our website and on social media or feature in our special 40th edition Accordwest’s Annual Report, and much more (details below).
40 years of making every story matter
Accordwest has grown and evolved since we first opened doors in 1983. We rose from humble beginnings, with the Bunbury Youth Accommodation Project Inc. originally established to provide medium-term accommodation for young people sleeping rough, couch surfing, or in danger of not having a roof over their heads. Soon we recognised the need for a more holistic, service-focused approach where we could support individuals to move toward independent living or other appropriate alternatives.
Over the following decades, Accordwest held different names and rebranded as we expanded our program’s reach, broadening our focus from homelessness services to providing a larger number of programs and support services designed to spark positive change in the lives of disadvantaged individuals and families right across the South West. Whether that’s coaching families to improve their relationships and parenting skills. Helping children and young people who needed out of home care. Working with people exiting the prison system to adjust naturally back into a normal life. Or, providing emergency relief services for people in times of urgent need.
Today, Accordwest is proudly a South West based local not-for-profit provider of community support service. We are recognised as the South West’s trusted advocate for our communities’ most vulnerable, especially those experiencing or at risk of homelessness. In many ways we’ve grown up together, Side By Side, evolving and adapting in response to the changing needs of our region and local communities.
Walking into the future, Side By Side
As we look to the future, we will act on our strategic plan to support more people experiencing hardship and disadvantage to live the life they choose to live by supporting them to better manage their lifestyle, health, relationships, and general wellbeing. We are steadfast in our commitment to actively listen, understand, and engage in partnership with First Nations people and culturally diverse communities to advocate on issues that matter, and to invest in our people and our organisation to deliver quality services that make an enduring social impact.
Our leading future priority is building social and affordable housing, long proven to be of enormous importance to the health of not only individuals, but entire communities. With a recently commissioned industry body report estimating the South West’s social and affordable housing stock needs to grow by an average of 200-300 homes every year until 2041, we need everyone – from the community to the government, private sector, and community housing providers – to work together, Side By Side. The recent Symposium100 is a prime example of what’s possible, bringing together like-minded organisations in the South West to create a consortium that will allow us to jointly deliver projects of scale.
Save the Date: Accordwest 40th Celebration
What: Accordwest 40th Community Celebration
When: September 27, 2024
Who: Anyone in our local community who has been a client of Accordwest at any time since 1983.
Where: TBA
If you’re a previous Accordwest client, please call us on 08 9729 9000 and ask to speak with one of our Client Service team.
We’ll also be reaching out to stakeholders and local businesses and groups who supported us over the years and who may be able to support us with our vision.
ACCORDWEST HISTORIC TIMELINE:
1983
Organisation establishes as “Bunbury Youth Accommodation Project Inc” in response to a need for a medium-term accommodation service for young people between the ages of 16 and 25 who were homeless.
Prime focus was to provide accommodation with minimal support, with service models based on large hostel or refuge type accommodation and tended to be less consumer and community focused.
1993
Organisation rebrands as ‘Bunyap Inc’ to reflect the need for a more holistic approach, where it could support individuals to move toward independent living or other appropriate alternatives.
Bunyap’s core business was working with young people who were homeless or at risk of homelessness through three focus areas – an internally supported crisis house (24 hours), an externally supported transitional program, and a daily shopfront which targeted at risk and other disadvantaged young people.
1997
Organisation secures contracts to provide services to young people and their families in Busselton, Bunbury, Harvey and Margaret River under the Youth Homelessness Pilot Program, an Adult and Family SAAP service in Bunbury, as well as an Emergency Relief Service.
In April, Bunyap changes its name to Agencies for South West Accommodation Inc. to reflect its broader program base.
Organisation becomes the first funded to provide the ‘Reconnect’ program in Western Australia (funded as a result of the Prime Ministerial Task Force report on Youth Homelessness)
1998
Organisation secures funding for a Drug Information Counselling Service (now known as “Substance”) and a prison outreach program providing support for ex-offenders (now known as “Re-entry Link / TASS”).
Over the following years, organisation establishes a range of programs (that are ultimately sustained and/or expanded within the organisation:
Parents Plus (REACh)
Men’s and Family Relationship Program
Tenant Advocacy Service
A number of innovation SAAP programs, including Partnership in Housing and the Capes Accommodation Support program
2006
Organisation launches the Indigenous Tenancy Service
Organisation expands into the Out-of-Home Care (OOHC) field with the introduction of the Intensive Support and Placement program, which provided one-to-one wraparound services to children and young people with high and complex needs.
2009/10
OOHC services expand again with the introduction of the Tier One Family Group Homes (FGHs) in the Mandurah/Peel area.
2011
FGHs are established in the Bunbury and Collie areas, as well as our Transition to Independent Living program.
2013
Accordwest opens new, purpose-built, Forrest Avenue service centre part funded by Lotterywest.
2017
Accordwest embark on development of their first community housing project. In partnership with Department of Communities, four units ranging in size from 2×1 to 3×1 are built.
2018
Accordwest launch Bunyap, a purpose-built youth crisis facility, offering 6-ensuited bedrooms complete with communal living spaces.
2019
Change in organisational direction expanding OOHC supports in response to increased needs of young people in South West and Mandurah Region.
2021
Accordwest complete their first transitional accommodation project, launching 3 Tiny Houses. Located in Bunbury, the initiative was supported by leading community organisations.
2023
Construction commences on build of 3 transitional units in Collie to support people experiencing homelessness giving them the time, space and resources to regain control.
Accordwest commence community housing refurbishment project, renovating 14 of 31 homes, creating safer, more comfortable, welcoming living spaces for people to feel at home.
2024
15 Forrest Ave is demolished. Accordwest funded by the DOC and WA State Government is now developing the property into ‘Bunyap 2.0’ to house up to 10 vulnerable young people aged 15-25 and provide them with support to build life skills and secure housing.
ABOUT BUNYAP 2.0
Facility features:
- Six 1-bedroom self-contained units with ensuite bathrooms
- Two 1-bedroom self-contained units with ensuite bathrooms (designed for young couples or women who are pregnant or have a child under 1)
- Expansive, two level, multi-purpose shared facilities (with garden) for tenants and dedicated Accordwest team. Case Workers will be on hand at Bunyap 2.0 to support tenants as they make positive changes in their lives, delivered in client appointment rooms and offices at the facility.
In-house support services will help tenants:
- Access community or private housing
- Access and apply for private rentals (including tenant advocacy)
- Improve financial literacy, which may also include support to establish payment plans to clear debt
- Strengthen family relationships
- Engage with education and training opportunities
- Gain employment
- Access services from other organisations (e.g. mental health, physical health, AOD)
- Access life skills education and practical experience that will support them to secure and maintain long-term housing.