Together we can end homelessness

Life on the streets is a constant battle for survival, a relentless cycle of cold nights and restless days. The concrete beneath you offers no comfort, only a reminder of how far removed you are from warmth, safety, and dignity. Each morning begins with this realisation and the need to dull this pain and the ache of exhaustion. 

The world passes by, indifferent, casting sideways glances or avoiding your eyes altogether, as if your existence is too painful or inconvenient to acknowledge. Every moment is lived under a cloud of uncertainty. You never know where your next meal will come from or where you’ll sleep that night. The shelter of a doorway offers little protection from the biting wind, the rain that soaks you to the bone, or the threat of violence that lurks in the darkness. People walk by, eyes filled with suspicion or disgust, their silence speaking louder than words. 

The isolation is suffocating, as if the world has decided you don’t belong, and with each passing day, you begin to believe it too. There is no rest, no privacy, no place to simply be. You are constantly exposed, both to the elements and to the judgments of others. Even in moments of fleeting kindness, you feel the weight of shame, as if you’ve been reduced to something less than human. The streets are loud but lonely, bustling with life yet devoid of any connection. And amidst it all, the fear—fear of illness, fear of police, fear of authority, fear that this endless, brutal cycle will never change. Surviving is not living. It is a slow erosion of hope, one harsh day after another, with only the faintest flickers of dignity remaining, held tight against a world that seems to have forgotten you.

Homelessness can be many things, the most visible are people forced to live in the open, sleeping, eating, and existing in public spaces, often exposed to constant public scrutiny, condemnation, and sometimes violence. Others remain hidden, living in precarious housing conditions without basic services or secure tenure. People suffering homelessness face stigma, criminalisation, and discrimination, judged solely because they belong to a socially constructed group deemed undeserving.

The government’s public declarations of concern for homelessness often contrast sharply with their actions, leading to misery and fear for those affected and frustration and disillusionment for those who are advocates.

While policymakers may express empathy and commitment to addressing homelessness, their strategies fall short in both prevention and resolution.

This disconnect can manifest in inadequate funding for essential services, a lack of affordable housing initiatives, and policies that fail to address the root causes of homelessness, such as poverty, mental health issues, and systemic inequality. Successive governments have failed to prioritise people over power, it’s up to us and our community.

Together we can ensure everyone has somewhere to call home.