Homelessness Week 2024
Hungry, cold and not sure where they’ll be sleeping, a haircut isn’t a high priority for someone experiencing homelessness and poverty.
Short Back & Sidewalks (SBSW) meet people every day who don't fit the stereotype. From university lecturers sleeping in their cars to single parents of school kids couch surfing whilst trying to make ends meet.
Homelessness is something that can happen to anyone and it’s getting worse every day.
Homelessness action now is the 2024 theme for Homelessness Week (Aug 5-11).
On any given night, 122,500 people in Australia are experiencing homelessness. Homelessness is not "rooflessness". Only 6.2 per cent of people without a home are sleeping rough.
The majority of homelessness is hidden - people in crisis accommodation, rooming houses, insecure housing, overcrowded dwellings or couchsurfing.
Photo: MITP Agency and Till Death.
By delivering haircuts free of charge and free of judgment, Short Back & Sidewalks is taking action towards breaking the stereotypes often attached to those in need.
“A haircut can be transformative, both in the moment and in the long term,’ said SBSW CEO Natalie Jenkins.
“We know from the feedback we receive at our services that people feel great during and after their cut due to the positive connection and conversation they’ve had with their hairdresser, let alone the confidence boost that comes from a fresh new cut.
“This can change someone’s day and it can also change their life.”
SBSW recently worked with Made In The Pile (MITP) Agency and Till Death to produce a short documentary that follows the journey of Theo and Perri after they receive haircuts at a SBSW service.
Photo: MITP Agency and Till Death.
“I feel the mental and physical weight just drop off me… I feel cleansed,” said Theo.
“You don’t have people looking at you that certain way and you feel like you’re part of the community…that you belong.”
Since launching in a Northbridge car park in 2015, SBSW volunteers have delivered over 8,500 haircuts around Australia. Each of those positive connections could have given someone a confidence boost needed to apply for accommodation or for a job.
Photo: MITP Agency and Till Death.
During Homelessness Week, SBSW volunteers will be working tirelessly with service providers to provide haircuts to those in need in Perth and regional Western Australia with events happening nearly every day.
“Our service provides positive connections to people who are experiencing homelessness in all of its forms,” said Natalie.
Short Back & Sidewalks’ aim is to give 15,000 free haircuts and positive community connections by 2025.
Homelessness Australia, together with Everybody's Home, has created this petition calling for the 10-year National Housing and Homelessness Plan to set an ambition to end homelessness. Read more and sign the petition - https://everybodyshome.com.au/end-homelessness/.
Short Back & Sidewalks gives special thanks to MITP Agency and Till Death for the story for Theo and Perry. Thank you for helping to break the stigma attached to people experiencing homelessness and poverty.