On Thursday 4th August, Evolve Housing celebrated Homelessness Week 2022 with a morning tea to encourage reflection on how our organisation can better support rough sleepers.

We were privileged to be joined by participants in the Together Home program, which provides housing for rough sleepers for 2 years along with wraparound support.

One of these participants who attended was Tracy, who was kind enough to share her experience of homelessness and the Together Home program with us.

Tracy first became homeless at just 12 years old, and her family life was so troubled that she found that living on the streets was safer than being at home.

She had a period of stability when she became a mum at the age of 17, but was introduced to drugs by a future partner, which led to a cycle of ongoing homelessness and legal struggles.

Tracy told us that being homeless made her feel “vulnerable and very angry”, and that she turned to alcohol to numb her anxiety.

She would sleep with a hammer under her pillow in case she needed to protect herself while on the streets, and said that she felt safer and more respected in prison.

After joining the Together Home program, Tracy’s life started to turn around and she is now living in a home of her own. She is also being supported by her case worker Shahn to improve her wellbeing.

Tracy with her case worker Shahn.

“I’m no longer ashamed, there’s actually pride. I’m not a battler, I’m a survivor. Without Shahn and without this house… I’d still feel like a battler,” Tracy said.

“It’s beautiful to wake up with my home and be able to cook a meal and feel safe and not vulnerable, not always have to watch my back.”

While Tracy is off the streets now, she said that it was important for homeless people to be able to trust social services, and also encouraged people to show respect to rough sleepers.

“Just go out and talk to them… it’s about how you approach us… just a hello and a smile, it just makes your day, it really does, like someone acknowledged you and you’re not invisible. Just sit down and have a yarn with them.”

Thank you to all the Together Home participants and Evolve Housing staff who attended our event!

With around 116, 000 people sleeping rough in Australia every night, it is more important than ever than we consider how we can help solve the problem of homelessness.

#HW2022 #HomelessnessWeek2022

To learn more about Together Home and Homelessness Week, please read our media release here: Evolve Housing supports Homelessness Week.