MEDIA RELEASE
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20 October, 2017
Couch surfing is the most common form of homelessness in Western Sydney, and young people are particularly at risk.
“In the past year we’ve helped 707 young people in the Blacktown, Mt Druitt and Hills area,” Marist180 youth homelessness case worker Josh Lennon said.
“There’s a misconception that young people choose to be homeless, but the reality is they’ve got no choice but to leave their family home and find something more suitable.”
Workers from various community organisations gathered at Colo Lane car park in Blacktown on Friday to compete in the inaugural Blacktown Couch Surfing Championships.
The team from ADRA (Adventist Development and Relief Agency) were crowned the winners, clocking in with a time of 18.68 seconds.
The fun event was organised by Blacktown City Council to highlight a serious issue: the number of people experiencing homelessness and couch surfing within the city.
“While we commonly think people experiencing homelessness sleep rough on the streets, just over half are couch surfers – people staying with friends, extended family, or in overcrowded accommodation,” Mayor of Blacktown City, Councillor Stephen Bali said.
“This ‘hidden’ form of homelessness is common in many parts of our city, with statistics showing up to 900 people within Blacktown are currently couch surfing.
“People who turn to couch surfing are often fleeing violence or trapped in poverty.
“The Blacktown couch surfing race aims to not only draw attention to this issue, but to highlight services in the area.
“There are many government and non-government agencies in our community actively working to help local homeless people – there is help out there.”
Transition housing worker Catherine Williams said her organisation Houses to Homes provides transitional housing for young mothers and pregnant women.
“A large percentage of these women are escaping domestic and family violence and family relationship breakdown,” she said.
“Substance abuse and mental health are also contributing factors.
“We saw today’s event as a good opportunity to raise awareness of homelessness and the services that are out there.”
The Blacktown Couch Surfing Championships coincided with Anti-Poverty Week from 15-21 October.
Mayor Bali said Blacktown City Council has a number of initiatives to address both the causes and effects of homelessness and poverty, including the Homelessness Hub.
“Twice a year Council holds a Homelessness Hub at the Sargents Centre in Blacktown, where people can pick up free food and clothing, while also receiving help with housing, health and finances,” he said.
“The next Homelessness Hub is on Friday, 27 October, from 10am to 1pm, and I encourage anyone who is couch surfing, sleeping rough or having issues with accommodation to come along and get connected to the support they need.”
Representatives from seven organisations participated in the inaugural Blacktown Couch Surfing Championships.
They were: LikeMind, Hills Community Aid, Houses to Homes, Marist180, Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA), Western Sydney Partners in Recovery, and Blacktown Hospital.
Rachel Yu and Carol Ashworth (Blacktown City Council), Catherine Williams (Houses to Homes), Billy Beggs (LikeMind), Michael Maxwell (Council), Beato Pudadera (Blacktown Hospital) and Jesica Varela (Council) took part in the Blacktown Couch Surfing Championships to raise awareness of homelessness.
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