2023 Homelessness Awareness Walk

Heather Kent (CEO), Corey McGrath (State President), Sam Grace (Community & Youth Manager - North)

The St Vincent De Paul Society (Vinnies) held its annual Homelessness Awareness Walk from City Park Rotunda to Royal Park in Launceston today as a part of Homelessness Awareness Week running from August 7 to 13.

The 2023 Homelessness Awareness Week theme is ‘it’s time to end homelessness’ and organisations across the sector are seeking to assist this by raising awareness of those experiencing homelessness, including the issues they face, and the action needed to implement effective solutions. 

120,000 Tasmanians live below the poverty line and in the 2021 census the total number of people experiencing homelessness in Tasmania was 2,350, a 45 per cent increase from 2016. As housing and rental costs keep rising, Vinnies is seeing more Tasmanians earning low and moderate incomes unable to find affordable accommodation. 

Recent Census figures show that on any given night in Tasmania in 2021 there were around 230 Tasmanians sleeping rough or in improvised dwellings. But a further 2,120 people were without a safe, stable or appropriate roof over their heads each night. These people are often hidden from view, including those staying temporarily with others (couch surfing), in emergency shelters or in overcrowded dwellings.

As a consequence of the increasing challenges faced across the community, the number of people using homelessness services per month has increased by eight per cent during the last four years. Significantly, this is double the growth in the national household population and yet social housing now comprises only four per cent of housing supply compared with almost six per cent in 1996.

Vinnies is encouraging all governments to work together in solving the pressures of homelessness by adopting collaborative and creative solutions. Vinnies welcomes the elevation of the Minister for Housing and Homelessness to Federal Cabinet, the widening of the National Housing Infrastructure Facility and the establishment of a National Housing Supply and Affordability Council. But still more needs to be done.

Vinnies Tasmania Chief Executive Officer Heather Kent said people could become homeless for many reasons including loss of income or employment, the lack of affordable housing and family breakdowns including domestic violence.

“For some Tasmanians homelessness is temporary but for too many others the pursuit of safe, affordable housing is incredibly difficult and these people go far too long without a place to call home and the impact on their lives is dramatic,” she said.

“This is an important event as it provides everyone who attends an opportunity to consider the lives of those who experience homelessness. It invites attendees to pause and imagine what it would be like to walk in the shoes of others.  By collaborating with the Launceston City Mission, Salvation Army and Shelter Tasmania, we aim to shine a spotlight on the work that is being done by individuals and organisations attempting to assist those currently experiencing homelessness, while also deepening awareness that so much more is still to be achieved.

“We have reached a critical point in Tasmania where we are in desperate need of social and affordable housing to assist the exponential number of people experiencing homelessness.”

The event included the City Mission Snag Chat Van, Salvation Army Street Beat Van and the Vinnies Van providing free sausages, soups and hot drinks.