Vinnies’ virtual CEO Sleepout will combat homelessness during COVID-19

The St. Vincent de Paul Society is encouraging business and community leaders across Tasmania to unite on Thursday June 18 – online – for the 2020 CEO Sleepout. The annual event, which has been running for 15 years, raises critically essential funds for Vinnies’ homelessness services. It is expected that due to COVID-19, the need for donations this year will be higher than in any previous year.

St. Vincent de Paul Society CEO, Lara Alexander, said that while COVID-19 has prevented the annual CEO Sleepout taking place at UTAS Stadium, it will still take place in cars, backyards, and on couches across Tasmania as participants join an interactive, live-streamed broadcast through their phones, tablets or computers. The online event will be hosted by television personality, Dr. Andrew Rochford.

“While we have all walked past homeless people sleeping rough on the street, COVID-19 is a sharp reminder of the many risks faced by those who are homeless and why we need to increase our focus on a long-term solution. We also need to talk about the unseen homeless, of which there are thousands across Australia, sleeping in cars, or on the floor or sofas of friends and family” Mrs Alexander said.

“This is the reality for many of the 116,000 people experiencing homelessness. Of these, around one in 14 people are ‘sleeping rough’, but many more are hidden from sight behind closed doors and still unable to find a suitable accommodation for themselves or their families.

“The 2019 Vinnies CEO Sleepout raised $7.9 million for Vinnies’ homelessness services across Australia, which include accommodation, domestic violence refuges, food, clothing, blankets and sleeping bags, counselling and healthcare, and individualised support to address barriers such as debt and unemployment; with the ultimate goal of finding a permanent, safe home.

“Here in Tasmania, funds raised at the 2019 Vinnies CEO Sleepout have allowed us to deliver services to many homeless people across the State, including hot meals, warm clothing, helping families to secure accommodation, and other critical services.

“I will be sleeping in my car on the night of June 18, and I am encouraged that so many  CEOs, executives, entrepreneurs, and leaders from all sectors and walks of life will join me to raise money for homelessness services at a time when it is needed so desperately,” Mrs Alexander said.

CEO Sleepout online host, Dr. Andrew Rochford, said that he has seen the difference that Vinnies’ homelessness services make first-hand; and that the CEO Sleepout is an important fundraiser to make sure Vinnies can continue to help thousands of people every year.

“It’s great to see Vinnies, and the business and community leaders who participate in the sleepout, adapt to ensure this year’s event can go ahead in the midst of coronavirus. The onset of a global health crisis means people facing homelessness need that support more than ever,” Dr Rochford said.

Quoting from a recent article published about the success in Finland compared to Australia’s efforts to combat homelessness, Mrs Alexander said that we need to stop regarding homelessness as inevitable and to name it for what it is — a failure of policy and politics that can be overcome. Finland shows that a national strategy to increase the supply of affordable housing can work to reduce homelessness.

This year, participants can also involve their partner and children, helping the whole family to learn more about the growing issue of homelessness, which affects upwards of 116,000 people in Australia. CEOs and community leaders, along with their colleagues, friends, family members, can register online at www.ceosleepout.org.au.