Mission Australia is calling on all Australians to take to the streets for their next sleep to raise awareness and funds to help end homelessness. This year the charity is marking 30 years since its first Sleepout in 1988. Over three decades the initiative, which invites individuals to spend a night sleeping away from the comfort of their bed, has seen more than 50,000 people take part and raise more than $3 million for vital homelessness services. In asking people to rough it for a night, the charity seeks to give individuals a brief glimpse into the reality of the lives of the 116,000 people in Australia who are homeless on any given night.
Mission Australia CEO James Toomey says the event is only an insight into the lives of the homeless, as most individuals can not truly understand what it is like to sleep on the streets. “The Sleepout experience is an opportunity for everyday Australians to comprehend the plight of people who are experiencing homelessness, which can equip them for further action and advocacy,” said James. Although the Sleepout initiative has been successful, homelessness rates continue to rise in Australia, which is largely due to the escalating costs of rental properties and a lack of social and affordable housing.
“We know that rough sleeping is just the tip of the iceberg, with other forms of homelessness being less obvious to the public,” said James. “Many people experience hidden homelessness including living out of a car, on a friend’s floor or in an overcrowded share house. We want to see a national plan that commits to ending homelessness by 2030 and addresses the main drivers such as family violence, poverty and the lack of affordable housing. As part of this plan, we need clear targets at a national and local level to boost the supply of homes that are genuinely affordable and appropriate.”
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