People experiencing homelessness are often disproportionately affected by lack of access to bathroom facilities or services and may even face additional challenges, such as lack of accessibility and issues surrounding safety.
A public toilet inquiry was formed on 15 August 2024 to examine and report on public toilets including (among other things) the “provision, design, accessibility and inclusivity of public toilets across New South Wales.”
Hearings were held in March and April this year and the inquiry heard from a variety of specialist organisations and people, including those who have experienced homelessness.
“[T]he main thing for women around public toilets is safety. The layout and lighting and stuff like that can make women hesitant to access those services.
“[T]hat leads to a lot of social exclusion … people being more stigmatised because of their lack of hygiene … for people sleeping rough, that’s a massive issue…,” says Roxanna Kalnins, member of StreetCare, at the Justice and Equity Centre.
