St Vincent de Paul Society launches 2023 CEO Sleepout to raise $160,000 for Tasmania’s Homeless.

Media Release

21/04/2023

L-R
St Vincent de Paul Society (Tas) CEO, Heather Kent
General Manager of Blundstone Arena and CEO Sleepout Ambassador, Scott Woodham, and
St Vincent de Paul Society (Tas) State President, Corey McGrath.

On Thursday June 22, 2023, the St Vincent de Paul Society (Tas) will host its annual CEO Sleepout to raise funds for those experiencing homelessness in Tasmania. The event will take place simultaneously at two locations - UTAS Stadium, Invermay, Launceston, and Blundstone Arena, Bellerive, Hobart - from 6.00pm to 6.00am. The goal is to raise $160,000 to provide support to those experiencing homelessness in the state.

The CEO Sleepout is an annual fundraising event that brings together CEOs plus business and community leaders from across the country to spend a night sleeping rough to raise awareness and funds for homelessness. In 2022, 1,471 participants across Australia raised over $9.6 million.

St Vincent de Paul Society (Tas) CEO, Ms Heather Kent, said: "Homelessness is a growing concern in Tasmania, and it is crucial that we take immediate action to address the issue. The CEO Sleepout is an excellent opportunity for the whole community to come together to support those who are most in need in our society; either by participating in or donating to the 2023 CEO Sleepout."

“As Tasmania experiences harsh winter temperatures, the CEO Sleepout becomes even more significant in raising awareness about the extreme challenges of those experiencing homelessness during the coldest months of the year. The event draws attention to the fact that many Tasmanians cannot afford to heat their homes due to rising energy prices and the cost of living crisis. We know that just paying rent at this time is a key issue. Many families go to bed each night wondering how much longer they can maintain a roof over their heads. This makes it essential to provide shelter and support to those who are most vulnerable in the community,” Ms Kent said.

“Participants and donors can make a real difference through the CEO Sleepout, by helping Vinnies to provide critical support to those who need it most. The funds raised from the event will go towards providing emergency shelter, food, and clothing to those experiencing homelessness in Tasmania. By participating in the CEO Sleepout, CEOs and business and community leaders are showing their commitment to helping those who are most in need and helping to raise awareness of this as a critical and rapidly escalating issue in the community.

“According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), on any given night in 2021, an estimated 122,494 people were experiencing homelessness in Australia, an increase of 5.2% since the 2016 Census. In Tasmania, the number of people experiencing homelessness on any given night in 2021 was estimated to be 2,349, an increase of 44.7% since 2016.

“Of the Tasmanian homeless population, 231 were sleeping rough or in improvised dwellings, 709 were in overcrowded or inadequate dwellings, and 617 were in temporary accommodation. The ABS notes that the increase in homelessness since 2016 is partly due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the economy and housing market.

“The statistics highlight the urgent need for action to address homelessness in Tasmania. The ABS reports that Tasmania's homelessness numbers represent 42 people per 10,000 head of population – that is 42 people who sleep without adequate shelter in the harsh Tasmanian climate. Knowing that around 2,350 Tasmanians did not have the basic right of a home in 2021, an increase of 726 over the 1,623 recorded in 2016, is a shocking realisation. We need further action now. The CEO Sleepout is a major force in helping our community think more deeply about this issue and to understand what they can do at a personal level to help” Ms Kent added.

The CEO Sleepout is open to all CEOs, as well as business and community leaders who want to make a difference to the lives of those experiencing homelessness. For more information and to register your interest in participating in the 2023 CEO Sleepout, please visit the CEO Sleepout website

MEDIA NOTES: The St Vincent de Paul Society was founded in Paris, France in 1833 by a 20-year old Italian student, Frederic Ozanam. Today, the Society operates in 153 countries and has over 800,000 members. Australia has over 60,000 members, dedicated to assisting people in need and combating social injustice. The Society started in Tasmania in 1899 when founders established a Conference in Launceston. From humble beginnings, the Society has grown to 25 Conferences within three Regional Councils across Tasmania. Each Conference undertake a variety of good works, the most recognised being the traditional Vincentian home visits and the annual CEO Sleep-out to draw attention to homelessness.

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