1 November 2010
Sydney’s Homeless: People not Statistics
100 surveyed in an effort to speak directly with people who are sleeping rough
Over 80 volunteers hit the streets of inner-city Sydney this morning, surveying nearly 100 people
sleeping rough in an effort to solve chronic homelessness in the city.
For the next two mornings this week the volunteers will head out at dawn to survey people about
their housing and healthcare needs, meeting them where they sleep rough in the parks and other
public spaces of the City of Sydney local government area.
The volunteers are using a survey tool called the Vulnerability Index, which captures housing, health,
institutional history and other relevant data to build a register of people who are homeless and their
housing and healthcare needs.
The Vulnerability Index is based on research which revealed the key health risk indicators that
someone’s health is being ruined by homelessness. Sydney is the third Australian capital city to use
the Index following Brisbane and Melbourne where efforts are now underway to house and support
the most vulnerable homeless individuals.
The Mercy Foundation has partnered with the City of Sydney and other organisations including the
Way2Home outreach service to conduct Sydney Registry Week. The Salvation Army and Missionbeat
are also providing significant support. The volunteers represent a broad range of people from the
community.
“This is so much more than just knowing the numbers of people who are homeless in our city,” says
Felicity Reynolds, CEO of the Mercy Foundation and Coordinator of Sydney Registry Week.
“This morning we met nearly 100 people who were willing to share their story. We met one older
man who has been homeless for over 40 years. This is simply unacceptable.
“These are people, not statistics and after this week we will know more about what they need to be
housed and supported so they never become homeless again,” says Felicity.
“This is really exciting and the generosity of the volunteers and the cooperation of so many agencies
is so encouraging.
This is not an impossible problem: homelessness can be solved. With the right combination of
permanent, affordable, supportive housing, targeted outreach and prevention services, we can end
homelessness in our city,” says Felicity.
For more information on Sydney Registry Week and how you can help, visit
For more information:
Karyn Walsh
0413 619 875
Helen Styles
0400 331 871
NEWS 
