Annual Albany Big Sleep Out returns to raise money for homelessness and rough sleeping

The annual Albany Big Sleep Out, now in its ninth year, returns on Saturday with an ambitious goal to raise funds for people experiencing homelessness and rough sleeping. Albany Community Foundation is hoping to match or beat the $47,000 raised at last year’s Big Sleep Out to continue assisting people experiencing homelessness and rough sleeping arrangements. The bring-your-own-swag event, sponsored by Community Bank, has 50 people signed up to sleep out in the Albany Agricultural Society’s pavilion on Saturday night. ACF’s Sarah Moir said demand had risen this year with the cost-of-living and housing crises. “I think the stereotype of homelessness is changing,” she said. “It’s now sort of everyday people who are suffering from the cost-of-living and housing crisis and are having to sleep on friends’ couches or sleep in their car. “We’ve had a lot of people needing help that they’re sleeping in their car, like the whole family sleeping in a car. “So I think combined with everything like the cost of living and the demand for rentals, people are sleeping in caravans or cars and things like that.” Ms Moir said the event raised funds for and awareness of rough sleeping. “We’re raising money for people who desperately need it in a time of crisis, but we’re also raising awareness about the issue and how it’s so prevalent,” she said. “There was a recent homelessness study done in June that showed that there’s an average of 150 people at night who are homeless in Albany alone. “The stereotype of homelessness is changing, so it’s just affecting a lot of people including families and children, and it’s something that I think everyone should have in their mind and donate if they can.” Registrations and donations for the Big Sleep Out can be made at acfwa.com.au.