‘Real people, real stories’: homeless people speak out
- Published:
- Fri, 2010-07-30 16:59
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Stereotypical views of homelessness are shaken by four very different stories shared this week by people who have experienced homelessness.
The Homeless Persons’ Legal Service*(HPLS) is helping people who have experienced homelessness tell their own stories as part of National Homeless Persons’ Week, 2 – 8 August 2010. Kevin’s story is one example of the homeless experience:
‘I first became homeless at the age of fourteen after my parents separated and my father threw me out of home.
‘I spent 20 of the next 30 years of my life living on the street. During that time, I saw many unprovoked attacks on the homeless. On one occasion I witnessed two men throw concrete blocks and beer bottles at a group of homeless people whose only crime was trying to get some sleep.
‘What many people don’t realise is that homelessness does not discriminate. Anyone regardless of age, race, sex or social status can have something happen to them that might cause them to end up on the streets. I have seen barristers, police officers and public servants becoming homeless after something like a family breakdown has occurred and sent their lives out of control.’
HPLS and Homelessness NSW host a forum in Sydney today to explore human rights and homelessness. Speakers at the Human Rights or Homeless Nightsforum include representatives of Sydney’s homeless community.
‘Giving homeless people a voice challenges the community’s stereotypes about homelessness. It also encourages governments and service providers to take account of homeless peoples’ experiences when deciding policy and delivering services,’ said the HPLS Co-ordinator, Ms Julie Hourigan Ruse.
Media are welcome to attend the Human Rights or Homeless Nights forum. It starts at 9am on Monday 2 August 2010 at Minter Ellison, Level 19, Aurora Place, 88 Phillip Street, Sydney.
* The Homeless Persons’ Legal Service (HPLS) is a joint initiative of the Public Interest Advocacy Centre and the Public Interest Law Clearing House (PILCH)NSW. PIAC receives funding from the NSW Attorney General, the Hon John Hatzistergos MLC, through the NSW Public Purpose Fund to operate the Service.
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