East Street, Ipswich housing billboard sparks outrage among homeless

A huge electronic billboard in the Ipswich CBD spruiking the state government’s efforts to build affordable housing has been labelled a ‘kick in the guts’ by homeless people living nearby.

A huge electronic billboard in the Ipswich CBD spruiking the state government’s efforts to build affordable housing has been labelled a “kick in the guts’’ by homeless people living nearby.

The LED billboard, which read in part “Because every Queenslander deserves a place to call home”, is less than 200m from a well-known site on the same street used by homeless people.

About half a dozen rough sleepers have used the East St location every night in recent years.

Sheets have been strung up for privacy, with mattresses and personal belongings in an alcove next to the footpath.

The closeness of the sign, which featured images of Housing Minister Meaghan Scanlon and Ipswich MP Jennifer Howard, sparked criticism from Ipswich residents.

Joshua Winston-Williams said he had been using the site for nearly a year after living on the streets since 2021.

“I have had my applications (for accommodation) in with the Department of Housing for all of that time and seeing that ad is a big kick in the guts,” Mr Winston-Williams said.

Joshua Winston-Williams has been living outside a shopfront in Ipswich’s East St near a sign spruiking the government’s achievements on housing. Picture: Richard Walker

“I have been waiting for a place to live since ... 2021. It’s frustrating to see people who aren’t even from here in Ipswich get places ahead of you, even if they’ve been on the streets for less time than you.

“There’s needs to be more housing. I’m a local Indigenous man, but that doesn’t seem to matter.

“It has been a real struggle to live here and to find a place to live, but my friends out here have been really supportive”.

Ipswich resident Andrew Draper was one of several to express disappointment at the placing of the billboard.

The billboard with the images of Housing Minister Meaghan Scanlon (left) and Ipswich MP Jennifer Howard. Picture: Richard Walker

“The homelessness crisis is real in Ipswich,” Mr Draper said.

“The horrible irony of expensive supersite ads with this message, across the road from six or so long-term homeless people in peril, is beyond cruel.

“How much emergency accommodation and assistance could have been purchased with the value of these advertisements?

“I drive past it daily and hope that there are services engaging with these people in need, particularly given that the offices of the Department of Housing services centre is at the Icon Tower barely two blocks away from the homeless encampment”.

Homeless people in peril have taken to sleeping rough at a site barely one block away from the Ipswich Housing Service Centre. Picture: Nicola McNamara.

A spokeswoman for Ms Scanlon said the government was “working hard to give Queenslanders in need access to safe and secure housing’’.

“We’ve just announced a record funding uplift to homelessness services in Ipswich and around the state on top of our Big Build,’’ she said.

“Our message is, if you need housing support, please reach out – there is help available.

“Our Homes for Queenslanders plan includes a 20% funding uplift to specialist homelessness services.

“That is an extra $2.4 million increase in funding for homelessness services in Ipswich, on top of the $8.6 million they are receiving just this financial year.

“We are also increasing funding for emergency accommodation, rental support payments and rolling our dedicated Critical Response Teams to do outreach where people are sleeping rough.’’

Ipswich locals have voiced their outrage at this sign near a known rough sleeping area. Picture: Nicola McNamara.

In a statement provided to the Queensland Times, Ms Howard said the Miles Labor Government was implementing strategies to address the “complex issues’’ involved with the present housing crisis.

“In Ipswich, the government has provided an additional $2.7 million to bolster homelessness services across the city,” she said.

Items piled up at the rough sleeping site. It is on a busy stretch of East St in the CBD which has for years been well known as an informal camp. Picture: Nicola McNamara.

“These services include trusted community organisations like Hannah’s House, ICYS, St Vincent de Paul and InCommunity.

“This initiative is part of the broader Homes for Queenslanders plan, which aims to bolster housing stock throughout Queensland by building one million new homes by 2046 and ensuring 56,000 new social and affordable homes are built for the state’s most vulnerable residents.

“The Homes for Queenslanders plan includes reforms to streamline priority projects and a $350 million incentive to encourage the construction of new homes near under-utilised infrastructure.

“Despite these significant measures, I know that people are still experiencing homelessness.

“I consistently engage with key stakeholders as well as Government Ministers to ensure our community receives its fair allocation of resources”.