Rising rents and mortgage payments combined with a lack of available housing is creating “a perfect storm” for people who are already struggling to keep a roof over their heads says New South Wales St Vincent de Paul Society CEO Yolanda Saiz.
Speaking at the Vinnies CEO Sleepout Saiz also said the homeless have fewer pathways out of their situation as services are at capacity and becoming increasingly expensive to run.
“The rising cost of living is really exacerbating the situation,” she said.
It is also harder for us as our own costs rise and people who might regularly donate are now having to make choices between putting food on the table, paying an energy bill or getting their kids everything they need for school.
“But we will never turn people away, we will always refer them to another service or find another way to help them.”
This year Vinnies’ major fundraiser held on 20 June raised more than $7.8 million nationally to support its work in assisting people experiencing and at risk of homelessness.
At events held in Sydney, Newcastle and Wollongong business and community leaders raised $2.5 million in sponsorship to sleep outdoors as temperatures fell to six degrees.
The funds will go to a range of services including crisis accommodation, domestic and family violence refuges, specialist healthcare, case management, rent support, and Vinnies Vans.
Deputy New South Wales Premier Prue Car and housing minister Rose Jackson were among the leaders who slept in on cardboard sheets in their sleeping bags along the White Bay Cruise terminal in Rozelle, after announcing the provision of $150,000 for a purpose-built catering truck to add to the Vinnies Van fleet supporting rough sleepers and others needing food assistance across metropolitan Sydney.
“This has to be a partnership of you all with government as none of us can do this all by ourselves,” Car said.
