Charitable chiefs chill out

AS Tasmania’s housing crisis continues to spiral, this year’s Vinnies CEO Sleepout will be more poignant than ever before.

Sixty CEOs from Tasmanian organisations and businesses are taking part in the event at Launceston’s University of Tasmania Stadium on Thursday.

Winemaking Tasmania’s Jonathan Lord, Aurora Energy’s Rebecca Kardos, Tasmanian Independent Retailers chief Grant Hinchcliffe and TasCOSS’s Kym Goodes will be among them.

Ms Goodes said the event was crucial to highlighting the housing crisis in Tasmania, where some people have been forced to camp at the Hobart Showgrounds due to a shortage of rental properties around the state.

Homelessness in Hobart rose by 21 per cent between 2011 and 2016, data from the Launch Housing Australian Homeless Monitor has revealed.

“This year more than ever the number of people looking for a place to call home is becoming relevant,” Ms Goodes said.

Mr Lord, who is taking part for the third time, agreed the cause was more relevant this year than ever.

“If this drives the conversation about the role for social housing, that would be great,” he said.

Mr Lord has donated a $14,000 barrel of pinot noir wine to the cause. It will be bottled with the fundraising winner’s own personalised label.

Mr Lord has raised $1500 so far and Ms Kardos $5300. Mr Hinchcliffe leads the tally with $8600.