Real estate agent Chad Dunn was clearing out his shed when he came up with an idea to help the city’s homeless.
Finding more two-man tents than he knew he needed, the Mulligan Property Group employee began what he refers to as a “bandaid” solution to a housing crisis.
Partnering with Newcastle-based Reach Homelesss and The Salvation Army, Mr Dunn is collecting new and used tents to distribute amongst those sleeping rough in the city.
He says his experience in the industry means he is aware of imminent short falls.
“As a real estate agent, and knowing what will hit us in March, I knew I had to do something,” he said.
“There’s always a turnover when a stimulus package finishes.
“There’ll be tough times ahead.”
Mr Dunn believes that, once the Federal Government’s stimulus funding comes to an end in March 2021, several more Newcastle residents will be forced out of their accommodation, as unemployment rises.
“With a housing shortage, chances are it could be your neighbour that ends up without a home,” he said.
“You only have to look at the rental property now,.
“At the lower end of the market, property is hard to find. There’s already 30 people vying for any rental at an open day.
“People are doing it tough.”
By donating a tent, Mr Dunn hopes to provide temporary shelter until secure, long-term, safe accommodation can be arranged.
“It is just a bandaid but, if it raises awareness and starts a conversation, then it has achieved something.
“What it does do is bring the issue to the forefront.”
Reach Homeless Services deputy director, Gary Parsisson, said the outcome of the campaign was an unknown.
“I’m not sure how many will set up a tent in a park in Newcastle,” he said.
“From time to time we have been asked about sleeping bags and, let’s face it, if you’re out there in the rain then any shelter is better than none.”
Mr Parsisson said he and his team regularly distribute blankets, sleeping bags, emergency grocery packs and hygiene packs to the city’s most vulnerable.
They also serve around 100 meals on a Friday night from a caravan on Beaumont Street in Hamilton.
“We often see people doing it tough,” he said.
“They might not be homeless but they’re living rough. People doing it tough are usually dealing with other issues at the same time and, as a community, we do what we need to do to help them.”
Mr Parsisson has been dedicating his time to helping the homeless for over a decade, having served with the Salvation Army in Sydney for eight years and now Reach Homeless in Newcastle for the past two years.
“I understand community concerns about this being in their own backyard but, in a temporary sense, this is a good thing,” he said.
Donations of new or used tents can be made to Mulligans Property Group in Wallsend or at Reach Homeless or The Salvation Army.
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