Yarra Ranges mayor Tim Heenan will find out what it’s like to be homeless this week. 23320 Picture: Luke Plummer
By Tania Martin
SWAPPING the comforts of home for a cardboard box would be nobody’s choice.
But, Shire of Yarra Major Tim Heenan is doing just that to raise awareness of homelessness.
He will spend this week living out of a cardboard box in Melba Park, Lilydale.
This is Cr Heenan’s latest strategy to help homeless people in the shire.
Earlier this year, he dumped council protocol by scrapping the mayoral ball in favour of a sleep-out to support welfare agencies, Anchor Inc and Dandenong Ranges Emergency Relief Service (DRERS).
Now,Cr Heenan will brave the elements with just a blanket to keep him warm and a cardboard box for shelter.
But, he said the inconvenience of living in a box for a week was a small price to pay to highlight the plight of homeless people.
“Homelessness is a growing epidemic and it’s not just confined to inner city area.”
Cr Heenan said there was stark evidence from local welfare agencies that homelessness in the shire was becoming a big problem.
He said both families and individuals were doing it tough, living in cars, and sleeping out in forest areas.
Cr Heenan said a lack of state-provided public housing, high rental and housing cost and credit card debt has contributed to the rising instances of homelessness.
DRERS team leader Peter Pieklo said many people were living on the border of homelessness.
Mr Pieklo said, in some cases it would only take something small like a washing machine breaking down to push them over the edge.
Cr Heenan will finish the week with a community-wide sleep out under the stars at Melba Park, from 4.30pm Saturday 11 October until the following morning.
Residents, local businesses, youth groups, schools and church groups are urged to join the mayor under the stars.
Participants need to pre-register for the event at www.yarraranges.vic.gov.au and make a small donation from as small as $10 to as much as they can afford.
