Homeless tell senators of rough life
Emotions ran high yesterday as a group of Rockingham's homeless people testified at a Senate committee hearing.
The opportunity was sparked by homeless man Jonathan Shapiera, who put in a submission to the economics references committee inquiry into affordable housing. The committee sat in Perth yesterday.
The loss of his friend Michelle, who died in a Rockingham park from a diabetic coma, spurred Mr Shapiera to band other homeless people together to make a stand.
The five speakers raised problems including not knowing where to turn, mental health and suicide issues, fears when sleeping rough, public housing waiting lists and the cost of living.
Mr Shapiera, Mervyn York, Bevan Cumming and supporters Owen Farmer and Salvation Army Lt Darrell Wilson called for a protocol to allow the homeless to stay at carparks without being moved on, harassed or fined.
They also want more services to help those on the "bottom rung" get into emergency housing and, eventually, affordable homes.
They hoped for land with basic amenities they could use to avoid being pushed from "pillar to post".
Mr Shapiera, who has been homeless almost two years and has fibromyalgia, was emotional when speaking of the consequences of being homeless on his 19-year-old son's mental health, including three suicide attempts.
"Living in a car is agonising," he said.
"I have been strong enough to get through a lot of it, but to try and support your kids without accommodation, you go as a father from hero to zero."
He hoped for more services to help those with mental illness.
Mr Wilson said the Salvos in Rockingham had helped more people than ever this year, including families with young children.
