Photographs of residents queuing to collect clothes from a charity highlighted the cost of living crisis.
The charity Pass it on Clothing recently shared photos and videos showing ever-growing queues of people in need in Sydney.
They show long lines of not just individuals, but also families queuing in Martin Place waiting for something to wear to keep out the cold.
The photo is all the more poignant as the area is home to some of Australia’s wealthiest businesses, with luxury clothing stores and banks set up nearby.
Other footage shows people sleeping rough on the sidewalk and even behind trash cans in the winter as temperatures drop.
Charity Pass it on Clothing recently shared photos and videos showing ever-growing queues of people in need right in the heart of Australia’s biggest and wealthiest city, Sydney
The charity’s humble aim is to give the city’s homeless “the chance to put on a new pair of underwear every day” and the dignity that goes with it.
In April, the City of Sydney estimated homelessness had risen by 23% in the CBD, with rising costs of living, a shortage of affordable rental accommodation and low wages responsible for the rise.
The actual number of people who cannot afford their own homes is thought to be much worse.
Mission Australia said more than 122,000 Australians are homeless every night.
If Australia’s homeless were in the same place, it would be the 18th largest city in the country, just behind Darwin in terms of population.
Rising basic living costs such as rent, electricity and groceries are now thought to be making housing more unaffordable for marginalized people.
Pass it on Clothing founders Chris Vagg and Olga Puga say demand for their charity’s services increased 22% in 2023 compared to 2022 and continues to grow.
“We know it is difficult at the moment, we are on the frontline and the reality of the situation is stark,” the charity said.
“We’re seeing more and more new faces looking for clothes every week, our data tells us that the need has already increased by 22% this year.”
“We are working like crazy now, every day, trying to make a difference in the lives of those who need direct and immediate help.”
The charity’s humble aim is to give the city’s homeless “the chance to put on a new pair of underwear every day” and the dignity that goes with it.
Since its inception in 2016, Pass it on Clothing has provided over 250,000 pieces of clothing to roughnecks at over 1,000 convenience stores across greater Sydney.
The charity called for $50,000 in donations in January as it struggled to meet growing demand.
He recently launched a new service in Redfern and now sees the need to start one in Manly, a suburb that people did not previously associate with homelessness.
But in nearly eight months, only $10,000 has been raised by his GoFundMe campaign.
They show long queues of not just individuals but also families at Martin Place in Sydney, home to some of Australia’s wealthiest businesses, waiting for something to wear to keep out the cold.
Pass it on Clothing founders Chris Vagg and Olga Puga say demand for their charity’s services increased 22% in 2023 compared to 2022 and continues to grow
“The more support we get, the more we can do,” Mr Vagg said.
All this in a city recently ranked as the 10th richest in the world.
Sydney has at least 15 people worth over $1 billion, 184 people worth over $100 million, and 126,900 high net worth people (worth over $1 million).
That’s according to business intelligence firm New World Health, which predicted that Sydney would rank in the top 5 by 2040.
Other cities expected to occupy this ultra-exclusive top five include Tokyo, New York, the San Francisco Bay Area, and California’s Silicon Valley.
Sydney was ranked the second most expensive housing market in the world by the Demographia International Housing Affordability Scheme in March 2023.
