Homeless fears as two Brisbane crisis shelters close

Housing advocates and state government authorities were scrambling to find accommodation for up to 100 people after the closure of two makeshift crisis shelters.

Housing advocates and state government authorities were scrambling to find accommodation for up to 100 homeless Queenslanders following revelations two makeshift crisis shelters will close.

Inner-Brisbane’s Big Bird Backpackers, which serves as an informal crisis shelter for up to 60 people, has said it will close on Friday due to a reported leasing dispute.

Another 50 residents will also be forced to leave neighbouring Spring Hill accommodation site Cliveden Mansion after the building was sold at auction last week, the housing department confirmed.

Hozier Kankuli, who is a resident at Big Bird Backpackers, said: “We have nowhere else to go”.

“This is one of the only places in the city that we can go for a bed to sleep, and now that it is closing people will go back to sleeping on the streets,” she said.

There are fears people may be forced to live rough, like those camping in Brisbane’s Musgrave Park, after the closure of two crisis shelters. Picture: Steve Pohlner

Another resident, Katelyn Kennedy, said: “We will be on the streets now”.

“We were given one weeks notice and people are just scrambling to find somewhere to go,” she said.

A department of housing spokeswoman said it had dedicated a team to assist those in need of shelter with a number of alternative accommodation options identified across Brisbane for those left stranded by the closures.

Housing Minister Leeanne Enoch confirmed the department was working with specialist homelessness services to assist residents at Big Bird Backpackers find alternative accommodation.

“Department officers visited the backpackers last week and again this week to provide advice and support to those affected,” she said.

“Anyone engaging with the department on emergency accommodation will be supported.

“We regularly source accommodation from the private sector to accommodate people impacted at times like this.”

Management at the Big Bird Backpackers refused to speak with The Courier-Mail when contacted for comment.