Luke Holt Shares His Homelessness Journey, for National Campaign
The Luke Holt you know - Christian media leader and former host of the Luke and Susie show - is in a very different position in life today, than where he was 24 years ago.
It was December 13th in the year 2000, when Luke found himself homeless and alone, on the brink of sleeping the night at a Western Sydney train station.
Struggling with his self-worth and identity, he had come to the end of his options: becoming unemployed, penniless and without a home, all on his 23rd birthday.
It was only through the kindness of a family friend, someone he really didn’t know, that he was able to find a bed for the night, and over the next 6 months, slowly got back on his feet again.
“I'd never even heard of these people before in my life, and they [took in] a complete stranger, and I was thinking, ‘what if they hadn't said yes? Where would I sleep tonight?’”
The Complexities of Hidden Homelessness
Luke has opened up and shared his story publicly as part of Mission Australia’s ‘Stand Together Day’ campaign. This campaign aims to raise awareness of hidden homelessness, highlighting the importance of supporting those who find themselves on the fringes of life and at risk.
“Every night, over 122,000 Australians are homeless – living in their cars, a garage or other temporary, often insecure accommodation,” says the campaign website. “They are Australia’s hidden homeless.”
In an interview for Stand Together Day, Luke explains the challenges that can compound for someone who is at the brink of homelessness.
“I couldn't get unemployment benefits because I didn't have a New South Wales license… I couldn't get a New South Wales license because I had no money. And so I was stuck in this loop and it was hard and it was depressing.
“I got a job… but then I had to buy steel-capped boots and uniforms… and a way to get to work. I couldn't afford a car, so I bought a bike.
“Then I had to buy furniture… I couldn't afford a bed so I bought a futon. In the end it took six months to get back [to the point] where I had a home that was mine and a bed that was mine to sleep in.”
Stand Together Day
Stand Together Day, which is rolling out online and on Christian radio stations across the country, calls on people to nominate “someone who was able to stand with you through a challenging time of your life”.
It will culminate in the Stand Together Award, presented to a chosen nominee at the Excellence in Media Awards night as part of CMAA Connect Conference on Tuesday, September 24.
Why not nominate someone you know today. Find out more at standtogetherday.com.au.