THE organisers of Western Australia’s third CEO Sleepout have appealed for continued support from business leaders amid concerns of increasing homelessness throughout the state.
So far 55 people have signed up to take part in the event, which aims to raise awareness of homelessness, as well as funds for St Vincent de Paul Society’s accommodation services.
The society is aiming to more than double the number of participants in the two months leading up to the event and raise more than $500,000.
Chief executive Mark Fitzpatrick said accommodation expenses had increased by 62 per cent in the current financial year, which indicated many more people in WA were sitting “on the knife edge” of homelessness.
“Coupled with rises in utility costs expected in the coming months, it is more crucial than ever that support networks are available for people experiencing housing difficulties,” he said.
Ken England, who had been homeless for three years and now lives in St Vincent de Paul Society accommodation, said events such as the CEO Sleepout were about raising awareness as well as money.
“People just look right through you when you’re homeless, you become nothing,” Mr England told WA Business News.
“People need to be aware of what it’s like.”
Last year, 107 WA business leaders ditched their creature comforts and spent a night attempting to sleep on a sheet of cardboard at the WACA Ground, raising a total of $615,000. It’s hoped more than 120 will take part this year.
