Homeless man speaks out to MPs

A block of land with amenities should be set aside for the region’s homeless to camp and live temporarily so they are not “pushed from pillar to post” by authorities.

That is a key suggestion from Jonathan Shapiera, who has taken his fight to give the homeless a voice to Canberra.

The 57-year-old made a submission to a Senate Committee in March into an inquiry into affordable housing.

It was the only submission, of 218, made by a group of people experiencing homelessness.

Mr Shapiera highlighted the challenges of moving up the ladder to housing and unwarranted stereotypes.

He has gained support from the Salvation Army, Shelter WA, Homelessness Australia, WA Greens Senator Scott Ludlam and WA Labor Senator Sue Lines.

Mr Shapiera said a growing number of homeless had nowhere to go, while added pressure from council rangers had become problematic.

“It has gotten to the stage where enough is enough, we can’t continue without the support of a shelter and be pushed from pillar to post,” he said.

“The main point we want to look at is the possibility of giving an area of land to the homeless so that we have an interim area where people can park their vehicles, the possibility of a large roofed area, an amenities block, and a camp kitchen area,” he said.

Mr Shapiera travelled from Darwin to Rockingham in December after a spate of illness — diabetes, fibromyalgia and a diagnosis of high-grade dysplasia of the oesophagus — and a work contract falling through left him with nowhere to turn.

An IT professional for 16 years, Mr Shapiera said he wanted to make it clear unfortunate life circumstances could lead anyone to become homeless.

Senator Ludlam said he believed Mr Shapiera’s submission could make a difference and he would be fighting to restore cuts made to homelessness and services in the 2014 Federal Budget.

Senator Lines said she would continue to spread Mr Shapiera’s story to raise awareness and tell the Federal Government, “you can’t ignore one of the most vulnerable groups in our society”.

It is hoped Mr Shapiera will have the opportunity to speak in front of the committee.

The committee is expected to report its findings in November.