The Big Issue seller Dan shares his story as cost of living crunch hits the organisation

Rain, hail or shine, this friendly face can be seen proudly selling The Big Issue. But his “invisible” battle shows the sad reality of SA’s housing crisis.

If you’ve spent any time in the Adelaide CBD, chances are you’ve seen Dan K’s beloved footy guernseys and infectious smile before.

Come rain, hail or blistering heat, he has spent the past 18 years with The Big Issue in hand on Waymouth St, Hutt St and at Norwood, blasting 80s tunes from his phone as he proudly earns his living.

For 27 years and across 700 editions, The Big Issue has helped 7500 participants facing tough times earn more than $38 million, with many reducing their need for support from social services or charities.

It started with a group of 20 people spruiking the magazine on the steps of Flinders St Station in Melbourne, and now has more than 500 sellers nationwide.

Like many of The Big Issue’s vendors, Dan’s life has been filled with challenges, heartache and reinvention.

But the organisation is now pleading for support, with the cost of living and housing crises meaning more South Aussies like Dan are finding themselves on the streets.

“We used to have quite a good referral system here where, if we had a vendor who was looking rough, we could call somebody and find accommodation,” a Big Issue spokesman said.

“Now there’s a huge waitlist – sometimes it’s six to 18 months to try and get someone into a service.”

The Big Issue seller Dan K is an artist and poet who wants to raise awareness about 'invisible' disabilities. Picture: Craig Arnold

Despite popular misconception, it isn’t just the homeless who sell The Big Issue.

Vendors come to magazine from a wide range of circumstances, including long-term unemployment, disability, physical and mental illness, drug and alcohol dependency or family breakdown.

Behind Dan’s upbeat demeanour is an “invisible” battle with multiple disabilities, including asthma, epilepsy, multiple mental health disorders, a slipped disc in his back and two shattered knees from a car accident.

Since he turned 14, he has had more than 600 hospital admissions and 16 near-death experiences.

“A lot of disabilities are invisible, you can’t see them,” he said.

“Sometimes people might look normal, but you never know what’s going on. Yesterday, this woman at the toilets told me to go and use the men’s instead of the disabled bathroom – but I was having an asthma attack.”

Born and raised in Adelaide, Dan has been living in a boarding house since he was 16. For years, he slept on just a mattress on the floor with no sheets, blankets or heating.

He turned to The Big Issue in 2006, after years working in a disability factory for no more than a few dollars an hour, looking for greater independence and opportunities to connect with the broader community.

He’s met plenty of celebrities during his Big Issue rounds, including Crows hero Eddie Betts, Premier Peter Malinauskas, Steven Marshall, Jay Weatherill, Paul Keating and even Hollywood superstar Hugh Jackman.

The Big Issue seller Dan has previously had art exhibitions at SALA. Picture: Supplied

But Dan said it was the stories of everyday South Australians – and a desire to help others through their own mental health battles – that brought joy to his life.

“Working (with The Big Issue) has been very important, because my mental health when I was younger was affected by being bullied at school” Dan said.

“I’m stronger now because I’ve found ways to cope.”

The Big Issue magazine’s annual Vendor Week issue celebrates its passionate sellers and shares their stories – but the sad reality is that the cost of living crunch and housing shortages mean the social enterprise is needed more than ever.

“Even though many of our vendors have a roof over their heads it can be really tough sometimes, and I think that brings into sharp focus the housing sector at the moment and how difficult it is,” a spokesman said.

The Hutt St Centre has seen soaring numbers of clients, with young professionals, women and white collar workers among increasing numbers South Australians tipped into homelessness.

On average, 20 people more per week had sought help from the Hutt St Centre over the past 12 months.

Latest data shows South Australia’s rental vacancy rate is just 0.65 per cent — the lowest in the country.

Dan, a passionate artist, has participated in the Adelaide Fringe, SALA Festival and numerous other exhibitions and hopes his story will inspire others who might be experiencing hardship.

“I think it’s important to just learn to be patient,” he said.

“If you persist, anybody can be successful – just don’t give up.”