Canberra real estate agents sleep rough for homelessness

When Canberra’s temperatures plummeted and the frost began to hit, local business and community leaders braced themselves for an uncomfortable night spent out in the cold in an effort to raise awareness and funds to battle homelessness.

120 participants signed up to sleep on the hard concrete of Parliament House’s car park with nothing more than a sleeping bag and cardboard for the annual Vinnies CEO Sleepout on June 20.

 The group, which included real estate agents and other housing industry professionals, collectively raised close to $850,000 to support Vinnies’ frontline services in the ACT and surrounding regions.

Vinnies Canberra/Goulburn CEO, Lucy Hohnen says the organisation sees firsthand how the cost-of-living and housing crisis affects people from all backgrounds and stages of life. 

“We know that it’s never been worse,” she says. “In the past six months, over a thousand people have sought Vinnies emergency assistance more than five times [and]…more than 650 individuals and their families have reached out to us for the first time. 

“There is a real crisis out there and we need each dollar raised to help those experiencing the toughest of times.”

Determined to give back

Residential real estate agent Christine Shaw of Blackshaw Manuka gladly signed on to participate for a fourth year in a row, acknowledging that while it’s an uncomfortable night, it’s a far cry from the hardships nearly 18,000 people caught in the homelessness cycle experience every day across the region.

“Each year we have the opportunity to hear stories directly from different people benefiting from our fundraising and it’s always so emotional,” she says. “Everyone wakes up the next morning with a deeper connection to doing more in future.” 

Shaw, who was one of the top fundraisers for the year, believes more individuals and businesses in a position to give monetarily should consider getting involved. 

 “Government funds are finite…and the gap between the ‘haves’ and the ‘have nots’ is widening,” she says. “With Vinnies, we know every cent we raise goes directly towards delivering much needed programs for those in need.” 

A sobering truth

JWLand contract manager Craig Gavin, who joined colleagues Aaron Ackland and Nicholas Haralambous in the sleepout, says the experience was confronting as a first-timer.

“For us, it’s one night where we gather as a group in warm clothes and weather-appropriate sleeping bags, [but] the sobering truth is that many in our community face far more dire situations,” he says. 

“[That] was probably the worst part of the night – reflecting on how tough it is for too many people in our community.” 

Gavin says that he’ll be back again next year, adding that this experience has strengthened his resolve to continue finding ways to give back to those in need.

“Seeing so many compassionate people willing to lend a hand was amazing,” he says. “As an organisation, JWLand supports several great events, and this one is certainly worth backing. I believe anyone in a position of influence or with a large network should support the Vinnies CEO Sleepout.” 

“We are all susceptible to falling through the cracks”

After experiencing chilly, drizzly weather as a newcomer last year, Mark Nicholls, managing director of Raine & Horne Commercial Canberra, was more mentally prepared for a “tough night” the second time round. He was inspired to join the cause by his wife Hayley, who has been a Vinnies volunteer for almost 15 years.

Nicholls says part of the evening was devoted to understanding the complex factors relating to homelessness which were explored through impactful role-playing exercises. 

“I played the role of Greg, an unemployed single father struggling to renew his car registration so he could drive his child to school and look for employment,” he explains. “My journey included visits to Access Canberra and Centrelink, pleading my case, but ultimately, I turned to Vinnies. They helped cover some living expenses for the week, allowing me to focus on registration costs.”

Reflecting on the event, Nicholls was struck by how so few of us are immune to falling on hard times.

“Depending on our level of privilege, we are all susceptible to falling through the cracks and ending up in vulnerable positions,” he says. 

“Vinnies offers vital services to help these individuals, including providing clothing, bedding, hygiene products, hot meals, advice and other support. The work they do is incredibly important.”

At the time of publication, nearly $8.5 million has been raised nationwide.

Members of the public are able to donate to the organisation until July 31.