HOW ART IS HELPING REDUCE HOMELESSNESS IN AUSTRALIA

Levels of homelessness in Australia are at unprecedented levels with over 116,000 people currently living without a home.

Behind the numbers is the often overlooked traumatic, mental health struggles of this disadvantaged community.

Michael A’Hang, 36, is one of many Australians who has struggled with homelessness.

A year and a half ago Michael’s relationship broke down, and he found himself without a warm place to sleep.

“I was walking the streets at night, but I couldn’t go to sleep,” Michael said.

“The only way to stay warm was to keep walking around all night.”

Today Michael considers himself one of the lucky ones, moving back in with his family and turning his life around.

Michael says he has art to thank for making it all possible.

‘I was mixed in with the wrong people’

Michael’s love of art developed in high school, but it had been 16 years since he last picked up a paintbrush. 

“I used to really like art at school, but life happened and I guess I just turned away from it,” he said.

This all changed when Michael started attending the Baptist’s Care program, which offers art classes to homeless people.

“I was pretty stressed out and depressed; I was mixed in with the wrong people,” he said.

Michael said getting back into painting helped keep his mind busy, and made him forget about the pressures of life.

“It helped calm me down and relax me,” Michael said.

‘We often forget that people who are homeless, or are experiencing disadvantage are real people’

Baptist Care South Australia runs weekly workshops to help homeless people who are experiencing trauma.

Program mentor Mark Finlay says that while it might seem unconventional, art is changing the way people think about mental health.

"People often say, 'Well what point does art have for a homeless person? It doesn't build them a house.' My response to that is art changes their sense of themselves,” Mr. Finlay said.

“It changes what their life is about and what it can be— art makes a real difference for them.”

Overlooking the homeless

Baptist Care team member Sunshine March, says it can be easy to overlook the homeless. 

"We often forget that people who are homeless, or are experiencing disadvantage are real people," she said.  

“I think just being able to sit in a friendly place that's warm physically, as well as warm emotionally is huge for a lot of the people who come through the program.”

Workshop regular Ashleigh Smith says the program provides her with a sense of purpose and identity.

“When the world hit me hard, I ended up homeless,” she said. 

“Other people just see you as no-one who has nothing to give, but here I feel appreciated and respected.” 

A holistic approach to homelessness

Mr. Finlay recognises that the program is just one part of a broader solution.

“Now an arts program in and of itself is never going to solve everything,” he said. 

“But if it can be part of the picture of what it is to help someone draw the threads of their lives together, deal with the adverse circumstances that they face— then that's what I'd love to see.”

Painting the road ahead

Michael has found success through his artwork, and the income he receives from sales has helped him buy food and integrate back into the community.

“A lady from Switzerland bought some of my artwork, and took it back with her,” he said. 

“It was a pair of painted antelope horns. I was quite happy with that.”

Thanks to the program Michael is now off the streets, and looking forward to the future.

"I wouldn't mind being a full-time artist and painting as much as I can, putting my work in exhibitions, saving up to get a house; now that’d be good.”