One in three Aussies avoid a simple act that can help those experiencing homelessness

A smile and a chat are part of everyday life for most people, but it's hard to come by for Aussies experiencing homelessness, who are struggling with loneliness on top of housing insecurity and other challenges. New research from charity Orange Sky reveals almost one in three Australians (31%) ignore people sleeping rough, 40% struggle with meaningful face-to-face conversations within their community, yet 72% want loneliness prioritised as a public health issue.As Australia marks Homelessness Week this week (August 3-9), Orange Sky is encouraging Australians to support people doing it tough, not necessarily with a grand gesture, but something as simple as a smile, a conversation or an acknowledgement.“We hear it a lot from people we support – you’re ignored, you’re walked past by hundreds if not thousands of people every day,” says Orange Sky chief executive and co-founder Lucas Patchett, a 2016 Young Australian of the Year recipient and 2020 Order of Australia medallist.“Just someone saying ‘G’day’ and making eye contact can make a difference.”Australia’s homelessness crisis is intensifying, driven by rising rents, the housing shortage, and cost-of-living pressures.According to th...