Young and homeless,and with uncertain visa status and no access to government support,he scratched an existence from busking while self-medicating with “drinking and drugging”.
Joe Trueman (left) and Matt Robinson,both from New Zealand,talk of their experiences of being homeless. They often slept rough in the St James Tunnels in Sydney. Non-residents are often homeless and have no access to services.Kate Geraghty
“You are not a resident,you are not a citizen,” Trueman said of his status for decades.
On Tuesday,a panel of homeless people without permanent residency – called non-residents – described themselves as invisible,as “nobodies” and “non-existent people”. They were often ineligible to work,or worked restricted hours,and couldn’t access government benefits or payments,healthcare or homeless shelters.
Health,refugee and community organisations and representatives from the City of Sydney on Tuesday called on the federal government to end discrimination against this group.
The treatment of non-residents was inhumane,said Graham West,the convener of End Street Sleeping.
Joe Trueman near the entrance to St James railway station a few years ago.Nick Moir
They were the most vulnerable and over-represented among the homeless. It is estimated that 60 of the 330 or so people sleeping rough every night in Sydney are not permanent residents. Many are New Zealanders,which surprises many. Unless Kiwis apply for residency,they are considered non-residents of Australia and can’t access government payments.
“If we are to end rough sleeping there can be no discrimination between residents and non-residents,” said West. “All people sleeping on the streets need to be able to access safe accommodation and supports.”
West estimates there are hundreds of thousands of people in limbo as non-residents while they wait for the government to decide on their status. They include about 62,000 refugees and asylum seekers,undocumented visitors,students,temporary workers and people waiting for partner visas,and those refused visas but still in Australia.
Even those non-residents who can work,and have paid tax,don’t have access to Centrelink payments if they lose their jobs or are incapacitated.
Erin Longbottom,the nursing unit manager at St Vincent’s Hospital Sydney’s Homeless Health Service,said that,during the pandemic,the NSW government was quick to put homeless citizens and permanent residents in hotels to keep them safe from the virus.
“After we’d accommodated a large number of those in need,it became apparent that there was a core group of very vulnerable non-residents who,up until now,had been travelling under the radar,” Longbottom said.
But in a special one-off project,34 non-residents – usually ineligible for support – were given housing and case management for a year. As a result,16 were placed in other accommodation,two returned to their country of origin,one went to rehabilitation and only eight returned to rough sleeping.
Longbottom also said the number of non-residents staying at St Vincent’s Tierney House,for homeless people leaving hospital,increased every year. The average length of stay was three times longer than other patients because they had so few other places to go.
Non-residents said that being allowed to work would make a difference,and help Australia which has a labour shortage.
Longbottom said that,at the very least,non-residents should be allowed to access the same crisis support as Australian citizens.
“It is appalling that of two people sleeping rough on the same Sydney street,one can access a government-funded homeless shelter or receive Medicare-funded healthcare,but the other isn’t.”
Trueman is no longer homeless,has been sober for many years and is working on his music.
Others aren’t so lucky.
Often women living in violent relationships continue to live at home because they can’t access shelters. When Bam’s relationship with her violent partner fell apart,she lost her working visa. Her last name has been withheld as she is a victim of domestic violence.
“I am not allowed to work,I am not allowed to travel,and I am not allowed to do anything. I feel like I am useless,like I am being tortured,psychologically abused by the system,” said Bams,who came to Australia to study before falling in love.
Bams has lived in Australia for 16 years and is still in limbo while waiting for residency. Non-residents are often homeless and have no access to services.Kate Geraghty
When she fled the abusive relationship,her attempts to get a spot in a domestic violence shelter failed.
“They couldn’t assist me because of my sexual orientation,and being a non-resident in Australia.
“When I rang the DV line,I said that I needed a place to say,and I am a trans woman,” she said. They couldn’t help.
She couldn’t believe the response when she called The Salvation Army’s Samaritan House,which gave her refuge.
“I called and talked to the manager. And I said,‘I am a trans woman.’ She said,‘Yes,you are welcome.’
“I said,‘I have experienced domestic violence.’
“And she said,‘Yes you’re welcome.’
“And I said,‘I am non-resident,’ and she said,‘Yes,you are welcome.’ ”
Comment was sought from Andrew Giles,the Minister for Immigration,Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs,but a reply was not received by deadline.
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