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World Homeless Day

October 9, 2020

WORLD HOMELESS DAY is coming up tomorrow, on Saturday 10th October, and has been going since 10/10/10. It was given an “international day” status to draw attention to the issue in every country, in every community.  This isn’t a one day issue, never has, and never will be.  The national statistics show that 22% of homeless people actually have a full time job.  In Canberra, ACT Shelter advise it is a horrendous 31%. Back in 2007, in the Senate Enquiry into Affordable Housing and Homelessness, the definition of homeless would have been someone sleeping rough, or sleeping in a car.  Look left and right at your cubicles people – this issue is now closer than you think.   Ever thought how one person can make a difference?

I’m not saying money fixes everything – it doesn’t.  The experts are correct when they say no city can ever have zero homelessness. Some of our community members will actually be frightened and distraught with panic attacks if someone ever tried to force them into a house or apartment. But wouldn’t it be great if we knew our money helped fund a community worker to visit and do welfare checks daily on Gracie and other people to make sure they’re safe?

Homelessness and many other issues occur when a horrid collision of unexpected incidents occur to someone. Some of those incidents can be smoothed out, fixed and handled better if we have enough funding.  Imagine what 100,000 people, each putting in $500 per year, could see achieved with $50 million to Hands Across Canberra!

In economic terms, there are 4 quintiles that make up our beautiful community.

While I’m not an economist, this is my lay-person interpretation of the breakdown:
Quintile 1 are not getting by – they need our help. Now.
Quintile 2 can be fully employed but at the poverty line, struggling each week on basics like rent, food, schooling and health.
Quintile 3 have aspirations of owning their own home one day. They can see light at the end of the tunnel, and this is where housing affordability policies come into play.
Quintile 4 are helping the economy grow, and are needed to help close the gaps between the haves and the have nots.

(Read my very first blog to find out the difference between affordable housing and housing affordability!)

This is a plea to the 100,000 of us in Canberra who are in quintile 4.  Social policy programs are to directly assist quintiles 1 and 2. Economic stimulus  programs can help those in quintiles 3 and 4 with a flow-on effect of employment for quintiles 1 and 2.

Imagine 200,000 people – just half of our population – all giving $1000 per year ? Imagine what $100 million could do?

Just dreaming ….. or am I ?