A new 13-metre mural by 2024 Archibald Packing Room prize-winning artist, Matt Adnate, calls on Melbourne to become Australia’s first city to end rough sleeping.
The mural, unveiled today on Albion Alley in Melbourne’s CBD, is a public art initiative from Melbourne Zero: A movement of people, businesses and community organisations working to end rough sleeping in Melbourne by 2030.
30,660 Victorians were estimated to be homeless on Census night 2021, a rise of 24% in five years. 25% of Victorians experiencing homelessness are aged between 12 and 24 years old. Family and domestic violence is the main driver of homelessness for women and children: 40% of all people seeking homelessness assistance in Victoria identify family and domestic violence as a cause.
Melbourne Zero, which is spearheaded by Launch Housing, advocates for all of Melbourne’s local councils to adopt the Advance to Zero methodology, creating By-Name Lists where the name and needs of every single person who is sleeping rough in their community are known, so the right supports and resources can be coordinated until that person is housed.
Currently 7 local government areas have signed up to Melbourne Zero, including the City of Melbourne, and they are all seeing improvements.
Since the City of Melbourne started using the By Name List and the Advance to Zero framework, there has been a reduction in the number of people sleeping rough in the CBD. Their latest By-Name List data shows that there are 148 people who are actively experiencing homelessness, including 82 people sleeping rough. At this time in 2022 there were 307 people actively homeless and 122 sleeping rough.
Adnate, who is committed to using art to drive social change, hopes the mural will bring attention to those working to end homelessness in Melbourne, and encourage empathy for those experiencing it. “Unfortunately, we live in a world where people just walk past homeless people on the street and either completely ignore them or assume that it's their fault. Homelessness is something that absolutely anyone could experience. The truth is that its society that needs to change,” said Adnate.
Adnate chose to paint a woman and child to represent that women above 55 are the fastest growing population of people experiencing homelessness in Australia, and there’s a growing rate of homelessness for children and young people, often as the result of family and domestic violence.
“When I create any artwork, I want the viewer to feel and experience the emotion of the person they're looking at. I hope this mural has that impact on everyone who sees it."
According to Bevan Warner, CEO, Launch Housing, “We’re starting with ending rough sleeping because it’s a health emergency. People sleeping rough on our streets are likely to die 30 years earlier than people in stable housing. It’s one of the most traumatic, dangerous and isolating forms of homelessness. It’s cheaper to solve than treat. It’s the crisis Melbourne can, and should, end and we hope this mural will inspire people with the hope that change is possible as soon as 2030.”
“We are grateful for the leadership of councils like the City of Melbourne for their commitment to making Melbourne a world leading city in ending homelessness,” said Bevan Warner.
The mural, which will remain on Albion Alley on the side of the Pullman Melbourne City Centre and Mercure Welcome Melbourne for the next 15 years was developed with support from the City of Melbourne, Dulux and the ERDI hospitality group. “ERDI is extremely proud to support Launch Housing and Melbourne Zero in this important project, bringing attention to the issue of homelessness in Melbourne through such a visually powerful mural by the talented artist, Adnate,” said Ricky Jeffs, CEO and Executive Director of ERDI.
City of Melbourne Lord Mayor Nick Reece said all levels of government need to work together to help end homelessness. “Everyone deserves a safe roof over their heads. And we need everyone on board to help make that happen. Melbourne is a caring city, and I think it’s the best and the fairest city in the world. We can't look away from the homelessness crisis - we must open our eyes and work together for a better future," said Lord Mayor Nick Reece.
“This mural is a very visible reminder of the importance of connection, safety, and having a place to call home. It calls upon us all to continue our collective efforts to make homelessness rare, brief and non-recurring,” said Minister for Housing, Harriet Shing
The mural was unveiled on August 7, with speeches from Launch Housing, Minister for Housing Harriet Shing and City of Melbourne Lord Mayor Nick Reece.
Media contact: Alexa Tsoulis-Reay - 0447 964 899
View the making of video here - https://youtu.be/ir6RqwdbvYA