Why I do What I do
I was recently asked to give a short talk about “why we do what we do” in the homelessness sector. It really made me stop and reflect: why have I dedicated my life to this work? What keeps me here?
Beyond the deeply personal reasons — including having experienced homelessness myself — this is where I landed.
First: because homelessness is getting worse. On every measure, the problem is increasing. It’s more widespread, more complex and more difficult to navigate than ever. The scale and intensity of the crisis demand action, not resignation.
Second: because homelessness destroys lives. The numbers are brutal: men who sleep rough die, on average, 31 years earlier than the general population; for women, it’s 38. People sleeping rough are nine times more likely to die by suicide and almost seventeen times more likely to experience violence. These aren’t just statistics — they’re lives shortened, potential stolen, futures lost.
Third: because we know what works. This isn’t an unsolvable problem. The evidence is clear: scale up Housing First, align the LHA rate with real housing costs, offer direct housing allocations and meaningful support. We’ve seen these approaches deliver results — we can fix this when we choose to.
That’s why I’m here. I want to be part of ending homelessness — for everyone, for good. I believe in human dignity. I believe in systems that support rather than exclude.
I’m proud to do this work. I’m humbled every day by people who show extraordinary resilience, strength and hope in the face of unimaginable difficulty. And I’m committed to continuing — until safe, secure housing is a reality for every person who needs it.