If Bikram Lama were alive today, we still could not guarantee him a way out of homelessness. This stark reality was underscored by a colleague's comment following the outpouring of grief after Guardian Australia's report on his death. Despite the genuine sadness and goodwill behind thousands of social media comments, likes, and shares, most aspects of our crisis support system remain closed off to non-residents like Bikram.
The Flawed Crisis Response
During the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, rough sleepers were identified as highly vulnerable. In Sydney, a coordinated response between governments, policymakers, and service providers successfully offered accommodation, health services, and rapid pathways to long-term housing. However, it soon became clear that one in five rough sleepers had been left behind: non-residents. These include asylum seekers, temporary visa holders, undocumented people, and New Zealand citizens who arrived after 2001. Their visa status denies them access to temporary accommodation, social housing, income support, and often healthcare. Many cannot work or face tight restrictions, leaving them with little safety net.
The Consequences of Exclusion
Inability to work, job loss, relationship breakdown, or illness can quickly lead to housing insecurity and homelessness. Without crisis support, extreme poverty beckons. Non-residents in crisis rely heavily on overstretched charities. During the early months of Covid, advocacy led the New South Wales government to offer non-residents government-funded emergency accommodation and health support for the first time. But after lockdowns ended, old arrangements resumed, leaving non-residents once again without access.
Every day, homelessness, community, and health workers encounter non-residents sleeping rough because they cannot get help. Sadly, there are hundreds of stories like Bikram's. No one should die because they are homeless. Rough sleeping is extremely dangerous, with severe health impacts; research shows that a single episode of homelessness quadruples the risk of premature death. The Guardian's reporting has exposed how homelessness can become a death sentence.
The Role of Universities
While working with governments on long-term solutions, we must not forget the role of Australian universities and colleges. Many non-residents sleeping rough, like Bikram, are or were international students. It is long past time for tertiary institutions to live up to their duty of care. They have built a sophisticated global recruitment machine, especially from developing nations, but appear to do the bare minimum for student welfare. Consequently, hard-pressed homeless charities are left picking up the pieces.
In my work, we do not judge why someone is on the street; we just help. Tomorrow, I will encounter another Bikram: unwell, homeless, at risk. It is a human being who needs help. Why must the system qualify lifesaving care based on visa status? A candlelight vigil will be held in Hyde Park at 5pm on Thursday in memory of Bikram Lama and to acknowledge the plight of Sydney's homeless population.
