Personal accounts tell real stories of homelessness

Published on 04 August 2020

Five Hobartians who have experienced homelessness first-hand have shared their stories through a multimedia art project designed to break down the stigma around the label.

I Am Somebody is a compilation of audio recordings and photographs that capture the personal stories behind each of the participants’ experience of homelessness.

The project is a product of the City of Hobart’s Housing with Dignity reference group, which comprises representatives from a range of support agencies and stakeholder organisations, as well as people with lived experiences of homelessness.

Reference group Co-Chair Alderman Damon Thomas said I Am Somebody aimed to help others in the community to understand what it means to be without a safe and stable home.

“Creating these podcasts, and having this dedicated and powerful window into the lives and stories towards and out of homelessness, is an opportunity for learning,” Ald Thomas said.

“There is no doubt that there are complex drivers of homelessness. Things such as the shortage of affordable housing, the rising cost of living, long-term unemployment, as well as mental health issues, substance abuse, family or relationship breakdown and family violence.

“Listening to the stories presented in this project makes you realise how easily any of us could find ourselves without a home.”

The project will be launched today to coincide with Homelessness Week.

Each year, Homelessness Week seeks to raise awareness of people experiencing homelessness, the issues they face, and the action needed to achieve long-term solutions.

This year’s theme of ‘Housing ends homelessness’ aims to highlight the need for more affordable housing as a core foundation to addressing the housing shortage.

“We know there is a need for more affordable housing in Hobart and throughout the state,” Lord Mayor Anna Reynolds said. “We will continue to advocate this to other levels of government as a priority for our city.

“We will also continue to support practical measures to assist those who are sleeping rough or without stable accommodation, through such initiatives as the Safe Space and funding items for St Vinnies’ Survival Packs.”

The I Am Somebody podcasts can be heard on the City of Hobart’s website at hobartcity.com.au/IAmSomebody.