Tania Narrier is 61-years-old, with stage four cancer, is homeless and has been told by the WA Government no permanent housing will be available to her for years to come.

Ms Narrier is searching for a place to live, having bounced from short stay to short stay with family as her health deteriorates.

She's losing hope and says she is just about done with it — both searching for somewhere to live out her days and with cancer care she says has been marked by racism and negligence.

Despite advocates behind her calling for something to be done, Ms Narrier has been told her priority application for a one bedroom seniors' accommodation in Boorloo / Perth's north-west zone won't be expedited up the chain, despite her circumstances.

Her application has been priority listed for one-bedroom seniors since July 2025.

"The Department has support documents obtained during her application which outline her medical condition. The Department has recognised her priority need based on the reasons outlined in your letter and a priority application was approved accordingly," reads correspondence seen by National Indigenous Times from WA's Department of Housing and Works (DHW) on April 10.

"Although The Department acknowledges the challenges experienced by Ms Narrier, especially considering the deterioration of her current medical condition, we are unable to expedite her priority application any further as her application is considered amongst other priority applicants whose situations have also been deemed priority."

Ms Narrier believed there's very little chance she survives long enough to get housing, she told National Indigenous Times.

She's only looking for somewhere "comfortable, that's all".

The Department has outlined priority similar priority applicants from 2023 are being housed.

"Based on her type of application and zone, she can expect the best possible wait time relative to other zones in the North Metro area," DHW wrote.

Ms Narrier last had secure housing about a year ago.

She's also previously lived in the country, relocating to Boorloo / Perth last year.

Ms Narrier is also now hesitant to receive medical care following what she described as experiences of racism, negligence, prejudice and mistreatment.

National Indigenous Times contacted WA's Department of Health and was pointed to East Metro Health. This publication contacted East Metro North for comment but has received no response to date.

Not having somewhere permanent to go to sleep each night is contributing to her health worsening, Ms Narrier said.

"On behalf of everyone else too, not just myself, give us our pride," she told National Indigenous Times.

"It's been very stressful for me; the last two years, really, to tell you the truth. That's why I'm making this stand (going public)."

DHW last week confirmed Aunty Tania has received a Ministerial enquiry processing.

Daydawn Advocacy Centre supports Aboriginal people in Western Australia. In recent weeks the group, who have been advocating for Ms Narrier, contacted the WA Minister from Housing Services.

A response, on behalf of the Minister from Housing Services, provided little new information. Ms Narrier's challenges and priority housing assistance requests were acknowledged, but the response said a specific timeframe for an offer of accommodation could not be provided.

"It is important to note that all applicants on the priority waiting list have demonstrated an urgent need to relocate for reasons including family and domestic violence, safety, or medical circumstances," the correspondence reads.

"As such, the Department of Housing and Works (DHW) is unable to prioritise this list further. However, please be assured that DHW will contact Ms Narrier as soon as a suitable property becomes available."

If housing does become available, Aunty Tania "may be able" to receive bond assistance and two weeks rent from the Department, it was outlined.

Ms Narrier was pointed towards a crisis accommodation assessment and referral service EntryPoint, 27/7 free service Find My Way and other housing and counselling support.

In March, Daydawn also contacted the Minister for Health Meredith Hammat urging attention to Ms Narrier's circumstances following an extended admission in a Perth Hospital, outlining medical staff's concern for her physical and mental health.

Without permanent housing Ms Narrier, at the time, was unable to be discharged.

Daydawn's Dr Betsy Buchanan wrote urgent action was needed "to both free up the bed from the health system, and provide Ms Narrier with a home and dignity".

The office of the Health Minister directed Dawdawn to the Minister for Housing and Works as it was outside their portfolio.

Dr Buchanen told National Indigenous Times housing policy fails to properly acknowledge structural disadvantages as well as alarming health and wellbeing indicators First Nations people face.

"I've been a long term advocate, and I've never known the situation this bad," she said in regards to Ms Narrier's circumstances.