Short Back & Sidewalks receives $350,000 pre-election funding commitment from Albanese Government

Mr Patrick Gorman MP, Federal Member for Perth, and Craig Hollywood, CEO and Founder, Short Back & Sidewalks. Photo: Danica Zuks

MEDIA STATEMENT

Short Back & Sidewalks welcomes the pre-election funding commitment announced today by the Federal Opposition.

If elected, the Albanese Government will pledge $350,000 over two years to Short Back & Sidewalks, enabling us to continue delivering haircuts free of charge and free of judgement to people experiencing homelessness.

The funding will also allow for the expansion of Short Back & Sidewalks services into regional Western Australia, creating meaningful connections in our regional communities.

(L-R) Samantha Drury, St Barts; Mr Patrick Gorman MP; Michala McMahon, Short Back & Sidewalks; and Craig Hollywood, Short Back & Sidewalks. Photo: Danica Zuks

Craig Hollywood, Founder and CEO of Short Back & Sidewalks, said the funding was an important step forward for the charity.

“Homelessness is a serious issue in Australia, and the power of a haircut – free of charge and free of judgement – is a valuable step to helping people on their path home,” Mr Hollywood said.

“This funding will allow us to give 15,000 free haircuts and positive community connections per year by 2025.”

In early May, the Morrison Government also announced a pre-election funding commitment, which would deliver $360,000 over two years to Short Back & Sidewalks if re-elected.

Short Back & Sidewalks welcomes the support and recognition from both major Australian political parties that homelessness is a bipartisan issue, as is the support to assist people in need across Australia experiencing homelessness.

Photo: Danica Zuks

Short Back & Sidewalks  was founded in 2015 with a team of three volunteers offering free haircuts to vulnerable community members from a carpark in Northbridge.

Since then, the charity  has provided more than 6,400 haircuts to people experiencing homelessness, disadvantage, or marginalisation.

The charity has more than 250 volunteers around the country; has expanded its operations across Western Australia, New South Wales, and Victoria; and partners with organisations like RUAH, St Vincent de Paul, Mission Australia, and Orange Sky Laundry to support people in need.

“I’m so proud that an idea that started in a local car park is helping to create positive connections with people experiencing homelessness across the country, and reducing stigma around homelessness in Australia,” Craig said.

“Our work at Short Back & Sidewalks is simple: we give haircuts to people free of charge and free of judgement.

“We want to help people look and feel their best, no matter what they’re going through in their lives at any given moment.”

ENDS

Media contact

Craig Hollywood: Joanna Holcombe: +61 414 313 521