These days I live a contented and peaceful life with my family and friends. This was not always the case. I have experienced many years of homelessness and all that goes with it, including rough sleeping.

Still, today, the thought of being homeless and having to sleep rough really frightens me. In my mind, the first place I go is to all the emotions connected with my previous experience. The feeling of “I’m all alone and no one cares”; no sense of belonging or connection; the self-loathing and non-existent self-worth; the dread of having to find a safe place to sleep and to walk the streets in shame; and feeling the stigma associated with having no place to live and be safe.

Shame is especially apparent when I need to tell someone my story so I can get some food or other support. Telling the story of why I am in this situation over and over again is traumatising. You are always watching the person on the other side and trying to guess what they are thinking of you.

Place-based collaborations such as Sydney Zero and Northern Rivers Zero, through the coordination of government and non-government services and the use of the By-Name List, make a significant difference in how rough sleepers are approached and supported. The By-Name List, as a tool for collaboration, is a lifeline for delivering better outcomes for people and better systems and processes generally.  

Dr Gregory Smith OAM, Co-chair of End Street Sleeping Collaboration and a person with lived experience of rough sleeping.