Homelessness is the “new Inconvenient Truth”, according to a leading advocate in the efforts to help Australians sleeping rough on our streets.
Matt Kratiuk, the Queensland Ambassador for Vinnies CEO Sleepout, said society was becoming increasingly aware of the need to address homelessness in this country.
Homeless himself for many years before forging a successful business career, Mr Kratiuk said, that like the Al Gore 2006 documentary An Inconvenient Truth moved climate change from the fringes to mainstream consciousness, the current cost-of-living crisis has resulted in more people being impacted by homelessness.
“Now, many more people are aware of homelessness. They may not be directly affected, but most know someone who is,” he said.
“There is also a growing realisation that losing your home is a real risk in this current economy. And that has given us real pause for thought.”
“What would you do without a place to go home to every night?”
Mr Kratiuk, the Chief Growth Officer at Brisbane-based national leasing advisory and commercial fit-out firm TACTIC, said 2021 Census data showed there were more than 122,000 homeless people in Australia.
“With the current cost-of-living crisis, I would not be surprised if that number was now closer to 200,000.”
It is why he is passionate in promoting Vinnies CEO Sleepout, where business executives sleep rough for one night, this year on June 19, to raise money to build accommodation for Queensland’s homeless.
As the State ambassador he has created a group of leaders in South-East Queensland, called the GOATS, with the aim of raising $1 million for the cause this year.
“There are now more than 160 GOATS and, currently, this year we are leading the fundraising efforts across the country, ahead of Sydney and Melbourne.”
One of the original Brisbane GOATS is Rowland Chairman Geoff Rodgers, who was also a previous Queensland Ambassador for Vinnies CEO Sleepout.
Mr Rodgers, who will be taking part in his 15th CEO sleepout, said one telling statistic in the homeless data was that more than 17,000 of those counted were under the age of 12.
“It beggars belief that in a country as prosperous as Australia we have thousands of children with no place to call home.”
He said Mr Kratiuk’s own story was proof that early support could prevent so much trauma.
“Matt spent many years on the street as a young teenager, which led to decades of pain and heartache.
“He managed to turn his life around, but it was a long, hard road, which could have been avoided if he had a safe and secure roof over his head every night as a child.”
Mr Kratiuk reflects the benefits of a home would not have been just personal, but would have had a positive impact on the broader society.
“My story cost society millions of dollars through hospitals, prison and impacts of crime.”
“The few years I was on the street as a teenager, ruined the next 20 years of my life. We have the chance to stop that happening to today’s children.”
To donate to the Vinnies CEO Sleepout visit Mr Rodgers’ fundraising page.
