A Homeless ‘Safe Space’ Challenges Australia’s Power Brokers
"Alternative accommodation has been offered to all people in the area." This week, in fact, as they have done regularly since the camp’s inception, the state
housing office set up shop directly opposite the camp — or safe space, as residents prefer to call it — encouraging people to register for public housing.
Wendy Hayhurst said that Increased homelessness and street homelessness is a symptom of a bigger
problem, of a lack of affordable rental housing in Sydney and other parts of New South Wales,
I come back in the middle of the night to talk to the guys and play chess." Mr. Priestley, who commands unanimous respect in the shelter, said it began when a group of women approached him near Martin Place, saying
that they no longer felt safe sleeping on the streets of central Sydney.
" a city spokesman said when asked about the camp.
that The 60 Martin Place hoarding is not a safe or sustainable housing option for people sleeping rough,
eave a coat" area: the brainchild of a "local entrepreneurial project." Written in chalk on the scaffolding of the development is a proud set of community bylaws: "No Drugs, No Alcohol, No behaviour violating Safe Space."
"One of the tricks of doing something like this is to let the community decide for themselves what the rules should be," Mr. Priestley said, chopping some potatoes with a cigarette in his mouth. that take a coat, l
For many, the Street Kitchen Safe Space is a place to sleep, to eat and to be around a homeless community filled with camaraderie.
