Diana had her car broken into and valuable possessions stolen.
Camera IconDiana had her car broken into and valuable possessions stolen. Credit: Supplied/Will Russell d441840

Homeless woman falls victim to car thieves

Bryce LuffFremantle Gazette

RETURNING to her car after a long shift, Diana never expected to see many of her possessions sprawled across the Gateway Shopping Centre car park floor and her all-important backpack missing.

But that is what confronted the 24-year-old retail worker late Wednesday evening.

"I was really upset," she said.

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"I don't have many things. I felt like I had been stripped of the few items I did own."

Diana is one of more than 10,000 people experiencing homelessness in WA.

For the past four months her sanctuary each night has been a tent set up at the back of a friend's place in Mundijong.

Despite her circumstances, Diana has managed to hold down a job and continue with her veterinary nurse studies.

But the recent events have put a dent in her push to get her life on track.

Among the items stolen was cash she had saved for emergencies and a backpack holding important study notes, a dictionary and veterinary scrubs worth $120.

She said she was desperate to get the bag back.

"I was really protective of my bag," she said.

"It means more to me than it would to anyone else.

"I just want them to return it because they don't need it.

"Without the notes Im playing catch-up."

Anglicare south metro regional manager Jennie Gray said stories like Diana's were not unusual.

"We take on average 100 phone calls a week from people in housing crisis, including people who are homeless, and all of these stories are tough," she said.

"With a lack of crisis housing and affordable long-term housing, it is very difficult to find solutions for these families."

Dr Gray said Anglicare took a "strengths and solution-focused approach", reminding people what they had achieved and what their goals were for the future.

"Supporting people as they move forward can be hard for staff though, who are all too aware of the very limited options available for some families," she said.