Katie Flaxman

There’s a homelessness crisis in Australia and it’s getting worse. The last Census showed 116,000 people in Australia have no place to call home.

Five high-profile Australians agreed to swap their privileged lifestyles for 10 days of being homeless in NSW. They find out what it’s like to go from having everything to having absolutely nothing.

Living amongst Australia’s homeless are Emergency Doctor & Businessman Dr. Andrew Rochford; Deputy Lord Mayor of MelbourneArron Wood; Restauranteur & Entrepreneur Pauline Nguyen; Comedian & Radio Presenter Ciaran Lyons; and Actress & Model Ellie Gonsalves.

In season three of the critically acclaimed series, the five participants are separated to experience different forms of homelessness – from sleeping rough on the streets to living in crisis accommodation and marginal housing, including boarding houses and caravan parks. With their phones, ID and money taken from them, the five participants are given second hand clothing, a sleeping bag and nothing else.

The five participants meet those who live without a home every day, hear their heartbreaking stories of survival and gain a unique insight and understanding of the varied and complex reasons for how and why homelessness exists. They meet professionals at specialist services who are trying to end homelessness with innovative and successful initiatives. Crucially, they see first-hand the acute need for affordable housing, services and wrap around support, beyond basic shelter.

Produced by the award-winning Blackfella Films (First Contact, DNA Nation, Deep Water: The Real Story) for SBS.