Tent City Finds a Permanent Home With Launch of Street-Life View
To help raise awareness of the plight of over
100,000 Australians sleeping rough every night, Lanz Priestley, the
mayor of 'Tent City' and founder of homeless organisation 'Sydney
Homeless'; together with Clemenger BBDO Sydney have launched Street-Life View.
Martin Place may be clear of the homeless this week, but the people of Tent City and thousands like them still need help.
Martin Place may be clear of the homeless this week, but the people of Tent City and thousands like them still need help.
The website uses technology similar to Google Street View, to show the
real situation on the streets, not just for Sydney-siders but the whole
country. Most people find talking to the homeless difficult. But
Street-Life View allows you to explore Tent City and not just see
homelessness first hand - but also meet the people who lived there,
understand them and find out what you can do to help their cause.
Says Lanz
Priestley from Sydney Homeless: "Nothing's going to change without
the support of the community. We need to care about each other, and
demand action from those who represent us. Sydney is a place where you
shouldn't have to fear for your safety, you shouldn't have to go hungry,
you shouldn't have to live on the street."
Over the past six months, many of Sydney's homeless took up temporary residence in the city's CBD, to gain attention for the need many have for food and shelter in a safe community environment. This prominent reminder of the homelessness crisis has finally put the issue on the national agenda.
Homelessness NSW says the number of people rough sleeping in Sydney had increased by 28% since 2011. A survey in February this year found 433 people were sleeping rough in the city, while crisis accommodation services were 90% full.
While the government and city council fight over who's responsible, all it takes is for decent people to act. Street-Life View aims not only to keep housing affordability on the national agenda, but also act as a rallying cry for direct action, encouraging Australians to take the issue to their local MP and demand action.
Says Ben Coulson, chief creative officer at Clemenger BBDO Sydney: "Homelessness doesn't go away when protesters are removed from sight. Street-Life View does its bit to make sure these people are not forgotten. Street Life View also gives us a new way to understand more about life on the streets, and help those people out."
Priestley, sold his own home in eastern suburbs 20 years ago so he could give his own children, the eldest 47 years old, deposits to buy houses. He has been living on the streets in the Financial Heart of Sydney since 1991.
Says Lanz
Priestley from Sydney Homeless: "Nothing's going to change without
the support of the community. We need to care about each other, and
demand action from those who represent us. Sydney is a place where you
shouldn't have to fear for your safety, you shouldn't have to go hungry,
you shouldn't have to live on the street."Over the past six months, many of Sydney's homeless took up temporary residence in the city's CBD, to gain attention for the need many have for food and shelter in a safe community environment. This prominent reminder of the homelessness crisis has finally put the issue on the national agenda.
Homelessness NSW says the number of people rough sleeping in Sydney had increased by 28% since 2011. A survey in February this year found 433 people were sleeping rough in the city, while crisis accommodation services were 90% full.
While the government and city council fight over who's responsible, all it takes is for decent people to act. Street-Life View aims not only to keep housing affordability on the national agenda, but also act as a rallying cry for direct action, encouraging Australians to take the issue to their local MP and demand action.
Says Ben Coulson, chief creative officer at Clemenger BBDO Sydney: "Homelessness doesn't go away when protesters are removed from sight. Street-Life View does its bit to make sure these people are not forgotten. Street Life View also gives us a new way to understand more about life on the streets, and help those people out."
Priestley, sold his own home in eastern suburbs 20 years ago so he could give his own children, the eldest 47 years old, deposits to buy houses. He has been living on the streets in the Financial Heart of Sydney since 1991.
