Qld housing crisis: Tent cities explode as more forced to streets

Desperate Queenslanders are pitching tents across the city with more than 73 counted this week. WATCH THE VIDEO

The number of tents pitched in the heart of Brisbane is enough to fill some of the most popular beachside camping spots in South East Queensland.

On Thursday morning, The Courier-Mail counted 73 tents within a 3km radius in the city centre – a number of holiday parks on the Sunshine Coast and Gold Coast could be filled or almost filled by those people camping in the city.

Tent city in Musgrave Park, South Brisbane. Picture, John Gass

Hundreds more could be forced on to the streets, expanding the current three tent cities and spreading further, as families face homelessness with fewer motels available to house people needing temporary accommodation.

The current cost-of-living and rental availability crisis has sparked a rise in tents being grouped together in the city, close to services that can assist those doing it tough.

On Thursday, along the river in South Brisbane beginning under William Jolly Bridge and Kurilpa Point Park, there were 28 tents crowded along the riverfront.

Just 200 metres after the Kurilpa Point Park towards Davies Park in West End, five more tents were beside the river. Musgrave Park in West End has one of the larger populations in the city, with 41 tents recorded.

Homeless tents under William Jolly Bridge, South Brisbane. Picture: Liam Kidston

Tent owner Bhima said while he came and went from Musgrave Park, he noticed that numbers had increased in the past few months.

“I have been back here for three nights and I’d say since then there’s been three or four new tents set up,” they said.

While Bhima said there hadn’t been too many issues with Council lately, paper notices had been handed out to keep in their tents listed with phone numbers.

“That way if Council wants to take the tent they can call me or someone else first,” he said.

Across from the Supreme and District Courts in Emma Miller Place, there were three tents, a tarp of belongings and a sleeping bag occupying the small park.

Micah Projects chief executive Karyn Walsh and St Vincent de Pauls chief executive Kevin Mercer have both voiced their concerns ahead of Christmas.

Homeless washing their cloths by the river, under William Jolly Bridge, South Brisbane. Picture: Liam Kidston

“Christmas will be a challenge because a lot of people are coming up here, there’ll be less motel accommodation,” Ms Walsh said.

“There’s no affordable units and then the temporary accommodation is pretty fragile, too. Like there are nights when you can just get nothing in Brisbane or the Gold Coast or the Sunshine Coast.”

Ms Walsh said there were a lot of families being placed in temporary accommodation – cheaper motels.

“It’s always a concern. Every time there’s football games or a big concert or any events on people often have to leave motels because they can’t afford the rate,” she said. “And then they might go back during the midweek when it’s cheaper. So people are very displaced … it’s pretty hard existence.”

Homeless tents under William Jolly Bridge. Picture, John Gass

Mr Mercer said Vinnies had supported 6600 people in the greater Brisbane area in the past month, with the numbers continually increasing.

“We have various people in temporary accommodation. Sometimes that temporary accommodation is being taken out of the market because it’s now being put back into holiday accommodation calls at Christmas time,” Mr Mercer said. “So there’s a real concern about where people are going to go.”

Housing Minister Meaghan Scanlon said a dedicated team led by her department worked with groups to help those people in need.

“Since the team was formed, 300 people who were homeless or at risk of homelessness in Brisbane now have a safe place to stay,” she said.

“Ahead of the Christmas period, I also announced an additional $23 million to bolster emergency accommodation for families.

Homeless tents in Jacob’s Ladder Park. Picture: Liam Kidston

Homeless tents under William Jolly Bridge. Pic: John Gass