Sam, opljačkan i u boli: čovjek se nađe na ulicama Sidneja

Alone, robbed, and in pain: A man finds himself on Sydney’s streets, highlighting the growing crisis of homelessness in Australia’s largest city. Reverend Bill Crews, a long-time advocate for the homeless, described the situation as the worst he has ever witnessed during his decades of service. On any given day, between 60 and 100 individuals gather for meals served by his foundation’s food truck in Woolloomooloo, with some traveling from as far as Blacktown. The numbers have grown steadily, and even longtime supporters are now among those seeking help. Reverend Crews noted that the visibility of the crisis through media coverage should prompt greater action. “I’ve been telling this same story for 50 years,” he said, expressing frustration that the problem seems destined to persist for another half-century. His concerns echo those of others working directly with the homeless population. Sara Lee, a volunteer with the God’s Care Love Feed charity, confirmed that more people are arriving weekly, often facing complex challenges such as mental health issues and financial instability. International students, too, have become part of the growing ranks of those needing assistance. According to the 2026 state Street Count, 2,308 people were found sleeping rough in New South Wales, marking a 5 percent increase compared to the previous year. At the same time, a federal initiative aims to build thousands of new homes by 2029 in the state. However, as of April, only a small portion of these planned dwellings had been completed. Robyn Evans, the chief operating officer for community services and housing at BaptistCare, highlighted the difficulties in securing safe, secure, and affordable housing amid rising living costs and increasing rent prices. She noted that many people in urban areas are forced onto the streets because they cannot afford basic shelter, while others resort to couch-surfing or sleeping in vehicles. Evans added that BaptistCare is witnessing a shift in the demographics of those seeking assistance. There has been an uptick in the number of women over 55 requiring social and affordable housing, as well as more double-income families struggling to make ends meet. Reverend Crews also observed that many of those relying on his foundation’s meal programs have jobs but lack sufficient income to cover essential living expenses. He pointed out the presence of women with children in cars, sleeping in public spaces due to a lack of available housing, often fleeing domestic violence situations. The dangers faced by the homeless are severe, sometimes resulting in fatalities. In Parramatta, a memorial organized by the local diocese honored two individuals who died within a fortnight of each other. The death of Bikram Lama outside St James Station last year underscored the increasing presence of non-residents among the homeless population in the area. Reverend Crews criticized the apathy of passersby, noting how many ignored Mr. Lama despite his visible distress. He suggested that personal anxieties about income and survival prevent people from offering aid to those in need. As of May, more than 70,250 households remained on the NSW Housing Register, awaiting social housing. The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare reported that on average, 31.8 daily unassisted requests for short-term or emergency accommodation were made in the state last year. Advocacy groups like Homelessness NSW argue that the solution lies in adopting a housing-first strategy and significantly increasing funding for related services. They emphasize the urgent need to expand social housing options to provide stable living conditions for those currently without shelter.