According to the ABS, more than 28,000 people in NSW experience homelessness. This number is higher than in any other state. Liz Yeo, CEO of Newtown Neighbourhood Centre (NNC), joined Tess Connery to talk about the second annual Newtopian Sleepout happening on Tuesday 7 August 2018.

The Newtopian Sleepout started in 2017 in an effort to raise awareness about homelessness as this is a significant and ongoing problem in Australia. The staggering statewide figures are visible in smaller communities as well, with the number of homeless in Newtown rising from 2 to 28. The second purpose is to raise greatly needed funds to deal with the increasingly challenging issue of homelessness.

Last year the Newtopian Sleepout raised $75,000 with 60 people sleeping out and so this year they have raised the bar and are aiming to reach $100,000 with 100 people sleeping out. The money raised at the first sleepout allowed the NNC to go above and beyond what they are normally funded to do, including starting a monthly outreach program and a weekly community outreach program.

To provide support or get involved head to newtopiansleepout.org.