‘Heartbreaking’: New Brisbane ‘tent city’ emerges as homeless crisis grows

New tent cities have been set-up near some of Brisbane’s busiest intersections, as Queensland emerges as the “epicentre” of the housing crisis.

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Makeshift homes have been set-up in the centre of one of Brisbane’s busiest intersections as Queenslanders see with their own eyes the extent of the state’s homelessness crisis.

As cars drive past day and night, tents can be seen sitting on the edge of the congested road, clothes hanging on lines and camp showers draping off trees.

The latest “tent city” to hit Brisbane is at E.E. McCormick Place, a small green space, in the centre of Roma Street, Eagle Terrace and North Quay just before the William Jolly Bridge.

Critical Response Teams have visited McCormick Place several times, with the most recent one on Monday. One person has so far accepted help and moved into accommodation, while the others have so far declined assistance.

Micah Projects chief executive Karyn Walsh said there was a constant inflow and outflow of tents across Brisbane.

“There are tents popping up everywhere. There are both people in tents and there are some empty tents,” she said.

Homeless tents set-up in E.E.McCormick Place, Brisbane. Picture: Liam Kidston

“We are just trying to keep on top of where people are coming from, why they can’t be sustained in accommodation, and whether they want accommodation, if there’s any available.”

Queensland Council of Social Service (QCOSS) chief executive Aimee McVeigh said the housing crisis was not being properly addressed.

“It’s incredibly heartbreaking, but unfortunately pretty predictable that we’re continuing to see people, including families with children, who don’t have a safe place to call home,” she said.

“The current wait times in Queensland, if you’re waiting for social housing, is on average, two and a half years. So some people are waiting for even longer than that.”

A camp shower near the latest tent city. Picture: Liam Kidston

Ms McVeigh said there was not enough housing that ensure people those with additional needs receive the services they need to ensure they can sustain housing.

“I think there is no way that any side of politics can fool Queenslanders into thinking that the housing crisis is under control, because Queenslanders can see with their own eyes, that the housing crisis is continuing and unabating and indeed getting worse.

“Our own research backs up what Queenslanders are seeing, and that is that the housing crisis is that Queensland is the epicentre of the housing crisis, and that the crisis is in no way abating.”

Homeless tents set-up in E.E.McCormick Place, Brisbane. Picture: Liam Kidston

Housing Minister Meaghan Scanlon said help was available to anyone experiencing homelessness.

“We have invested record funding to tackle homelessness through the Homes for Queenslanders plan, including a 20 per cent increase for hardworking homelessness organisations,” she said.