Alex Iannelli understands what it feels like to be without a home and admits she sometimes had to couch surf between leases.
Over the years, she recalled at least three times when she slept on friends or relatives’ couches while waiting for word about a rental property.
“Luckily it probably didn’t last more than a week, but it’s quite a touch and go scenario,” said Ms Iannelli, head of marketing at Stockdale & Leggo.
“Either you get a phone call that you have a rental property, or you just have to wait.
“I’ve been fortunate that it didn’t last too long and I’ve had other options, but you can definitely see how people end up in those circumstances.”
At first glance, many may not think of Ms. Iannelli’s experience as “homelessness,” but in fact it is exactly that.
Stockdale & Leggo head of marketing Alex Iannelli and her colleagues will take part in A Night Without Home. Image: supplied
People often associate homelessness with poor sleep, but in reality this only applies to 6% of those affected.
Most homelessness remains hidden – in the form of couch surfing, living in a car or moving through temporary housing with no guarantee of safety.
The statistics on homelessness in Australia were staggering.
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Every night, 122,000 Australians have no safe place to call home, and one in ten Australians were at risk of homelessness.
Ms Iannelli grew up in Leeton, NSW, and said she found homelessness in Melbourne’s CBD startling when she moved to the city at the age of 18.
“It’s the most heartbreaking thing,” she said.
More than 122,000 Australians don’t have a safe place to call home on any given night. Image: supplied
‘You can’t help but feel sick for them, especially as we are always told there are so many resources out there for people, but evidence would suggest otherwise when you see people in such difficult circumstances.
“I’m surprised by the statistics, but at the same time when you look at the full spectrum of what homelessness actually is, it’s hard to believe otherwise.”
A new national initiative, A House for Everyone Foundationaims to unite the real estate industry to help end homelessness.
Supported by leading industry voices across Australia, the foundation aims to raise awareness, raise funds and build long-term change for people experiencing homelessness and housing insecurity.
The foundation’s first major initiative, A night without a homeruns throughout the month of October.
Australians are encouraged to join the property industry and publish A Night Without Home to raise awareness and funds for this important cause.
There are several ways to take part in the challenge, whether it’s couch surfing, a night at the office, sleeping in the car, sleeping outside without the comforts of home or raising money in your own way.
The majority of people experiencing homelessness couch surf, sleep in cars or move from one temporary accommodation to another. Image: supplied
Participants can participate as a team or as individuals, and all money raised will go to the foundation and renowned charities working to tackle homelessness.
Ms Iannelli said Stockdale & Leggo is encouraging all their offices, which are mainly based in Victoria, to get behind the initiative.
They and members of the corporate team will be couch surfing and going without the comforts of home to show their support.
Only 6% of people who are homeless have trouble sleeping. Image: supplied
“It’s a very good charity and a very good initiative,” she said.
Stockdale & Leggo also partners with Bridge Builders Youth Organization, a non-profit organization that aims to impact recovery, outreach and recovery in the lives of young people and their families.
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