Homelessness Awareness Week wrap

Homelessness Awareness Week (7 – 13 August) was a very busy week as Vinnies and other stakeholders from across the sector came together to help tell the stories of those experiencing homelessness, including the issues they face, and the action needed to implement effective solutions.

The Hobart Homelessness Awareness Week breakfast, held at Legacy Park on the Queens Domain in Hobart, had a variety of guests in attendance including Minister for Health the Hon Guy Barnett and Premier of Tasmania the Hon Jeremy Rockliff. The Minster for Housing and Construction Hon Nic Street also spoke to attendees.

Loui’s Van provided a hot drink and breakfast for the large crowd of attendees who woke up early and braved the cold to show their support for the cause to end homelessness. Among the attendees was a current resident of Bethlehem House, who spoke candidly about homelessness from his firsthand experience.

In Launceston, the Homelessness Awareness Walk from City Park Rotunda to Royal Park was well attended by around 250 people including local media, as a part of many activities in the north of the state.

Attendees enjoyed breakfast and activities from the Launceston City Mission Snag Chat Van, Salvation Army Street Beat Van and the Vinnies Van providing free sausages, soups and hot drinks.

The 2023 Homelessness Awareness Week theme was ‘it’s time to end homelessness’ and organisations across the sector were eager to seize this opportunity to build community understanding and advocate on behalf of those who are most vulnerable in the community.

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

Vinnies Tasmania Chief Executive Officer Heather Kent said people could become homeless for many reasons including loss of income or employment, onset of a medical condition, the simple lack of access to affordable housing and also as a consequence of family breakdowns, including domestic violence.

“For some Tasmanians, homelessness is temporary situation, 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. The impact on their lives is dramatic,” she said.

“These are important events as they provide everyone who attends with an opportunity to hear from those who have experienced homelessness.

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