Tim Guest was homeless for 10 days for documentary series Filthy Rich and Homeless.
Camera IconTim Guest was homeless for 10 days for documentary series Filthy Rich and Homeless. Credit: Supplied/Supplied

Filthy Rich and Homeless: Tim Guest shares experience of being on the street, asks people to show more empathy to homeless

Julian WrightEastern Reporter

PERTH self-made millionaire Tim Guest went from riches to rags, stripped of his luxury items and lifestyle to live on the streets of Melbourne for 10 nights.

Guest this month made an appearance at Perth homelessness facility The Beacon to detail his experiences living it rough for SBS documentary series Filthy Rich and Homeless.

“They took our phones, watches, wallets, clothes and gave us a nylon bag with a change of clothes and a sleeping bag,” he said.

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“It was physically difficult; I didn’t realise how much walking there would be, you walk everywhere and you are carrying everything.

“You sleep on concrete, and get sore hips.”

Guest said he went up to five days without a shower and at one point feared for his life in unsafe hostel accommodation.

“I barricaded myself in a room,” he said.

“It was a volatile Saturday night and I was concerned my door would be kicked in.

“There were spare doors lined up in the foyer because doors got kicked in so regularly.”

Despite living on the streets for more than a week, evading tram fares and trespassing to get by, Guest had a television crew and security with him at all times, and acknowledged he did not have the most authentic experience.

“I’m not suggesting what I experienced is what homeless people experience every day,” he said.

“I was a tourist, I am not homeless; I got an insight.”

He said the experience gave him a better understanding about homelessness.

“We are all busy, it is easy to not let (the homeless) impact you, but if you see a homeless person, just speak to them for a couple of minutes,” he said.

“It could change their life and yours.”

Homelessness Week runs from August 7 to 13.

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