‘Trying to do my bit’ says Hobart man after backlash to offer of tent for $125 a week

A Hobart man is offering a tent in his backyard for $125 a week and says he is helping many people including a woman sleeping on concrete in a car park. Read what he has to say.

The four man tent in a Risdon Vale backyard that has been advertised to rent for $125 per week for one person with no bills. Picture: supplied

A Hobart man criticised on social media for offering a tent in his backyard for $125 a week a rent, has defended his offer, saying he is just trying to help people who are homeless.

Mark*, a disability pensioner, told the Mercury he has seven people living at his Risdon Vale home, pays $450 a week in rent and says he provides help to people who have nowhere else to go.

“Many times I’ve supported people totally who have no finances at all,” he said.

“One guy was here for two years and wasn’t able to pay anything.

“I’ve been stolen from and physically abused by people with anger issues”

An ex-prisoner and his partner and child, and a woman who had been sleeping on concrete at New Town, were staying with him.

“He came out of jail and had nowhere to go and he couldn’t get a rental or anything,” he said.

“For $350 a fortnight for a room, that gives them the internet, power, everything they need, even food. If they need it I’ll help.

“It’s just all there and they’re happy with that.

“It’s a bit of a community.”

Mark says he declares payments he receives to Centrelink and had refurbished a tin shed with an annexe for a family.

“It’s a tin shed, but it’s got a proper window, it’s got a proper door, it’s got a bed, it’s got a heater, it’s got a TV and a fridge,” he said.

“I have a lady in my caravan, and she was actually sleeping on concrete at Kmart in New Town.

“I’m trying to do my bit.

“If people went to the showgrounds they’d be charged $40 or more a night.

“I had a bloke who is spending half what he used to pay (on rent) and he was wrapt to have twice as much money for himself.”

Mark’s friend Helen Quinn, who posted on Facebook on Saturday offering the tent for a single person with no bills except for food, was disappointed but not surprised at the negative comments on her post.

“Some people like to complain and carry on,” she said.

“He’s not trying to make a buck or anything from anybody.

“He knows people are struggling.”

Ms Quinn said a person had stolen the tent they had been living in at Mark’s home.

“He has bought a new $600 tent and is very generous.

“He’s had to kick out some people who were on drugs at one stage when they say they’re not on drugs.

“Mark’s a lovely person and he helps people out so much.”

Some people were scathing of the Facebook post with one saying: “You can’t seriously be charging a homeless person $125 a week to sleep in a tent – surely I must have read this wrong.”

* The Mercury has chosen not to use Mark’s full name.

Originally published as ‘Trying to do my bit’ says Hobart man after backlash to offer of tent for $125 a week