‘Heartbreaking’: How couch surfing sparked action to create safe housing for all

Alex Iannelli understands what it feels like to be without a home, admitting that at times, she has had to couch surf between leases. 

Over the years, she recalled at least three occasions where she has stayed on friends’ or family members’ couches while waiting to hear back about a rental property. 

“It was probably no longer than a week at a time luckily, but it is quite a touch and go scenario,” said Ms Iannelli, who is head of marketing at Stockdale & Leggo. 

“You either get the call up that you’ve got a rental, or you just have to keep waiting.  

“I’ve been very fortunate that it hasn’t been too prolonged and I’ve had other options, but you can definitely see how people fall into those circumstances.” 

At first glance, many might not constitute Ms Iannelli’s experience as ‘homelessness’, but it is in fact exactly that. 

Often people associate homelessness with sleeping rough, but in reality, that only accounts for 6% of those affected. 

Most homelessness remains hidden – taking the form of couch surfing, living in cars, or moving through temporary accommodation with no guarantee of security. 

The stats around homelessness in Australia were staggering. 

On any given night, 122,000 Australians have no safe, secure place to call home, and one in 10 Australians were at risk of experiencing homelessness. 

Having grown up in Leeton in country NSW, Ms Iannelli said she found the homelessness in Melbourne’s CBD eye-opening when she moved to the city at age 18.  

“It’s the most heartbreaking thing,” she said. 

“You can’t help but just feel sick for them, especially because we’re always told that there are so many resources for people, but evidence would suggest otherwise when you’re seeing people in such rough circumstances. 

“I’m surprised by the stats, but at the same time when you look at the full spectrum of what homelessness actually is, it’s hard to believe otherwise.” 

A new national initiative, A Home for All Foundation, aims to unite the property industry to help end homelessness. 

Supported by leading industry voices across Australia, the foundation’s goal is to drive awareness, raise funds and build long-term change for people experiencing homelessness and housing insecurity. 

The foundation’s first major initiative, A Night Without Home, runs throughout October. 

Australians are being encouraged to join the property industry in spending A Night Without Home to raise awareness and funds for this important cause. 

There are different ways to get involved in the challenge, whether it’s couch surfing, doing an office overnighter, sleeping in the car, sleeping outdoors, going without home comforts or fundraising your own way. 

Participants can enter as a team or an individual, and any money raised will go towards the foundation and reputable charities seeking to tackle homelessness. 

Ms Iannelli said Stockdale & Leggo were encouraging all of their offices, which are located primarily in Victoria, to get behind the initiative.  

She and members of the corporate team will be couch surfing and going without home comforts to show their support. 

“It’s a really good charity and a really good initiative,” she said. 

Stockdale & Leggo also partner with Bridge Builders Youth Organisation, a not-for-profit that aims to affect recovery, relief and restoration in the lives of young people and their families. 

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