Meet the bright pink team tackling the Townsville’s homeless crisis

Townsville’s streets are now patrolled by a team in bright pink, working to tackle the city’s growing homelessness crisis head-on. Find out more.

Vicky Meyer, Acting General Manager of Housing and Homelessness at the Department of Housing, stands with the new Mobile Housing Service van now serving the Townsville community. Picture: Natasha Emeck

Townsville’s streets are now patrolled by a team in bright pink, working to tackle the city’s growing homelessness crisis head-on.

The state government’s critical response team has expanded to Townsville with 11 local Department of Housing staff, now working to get people off the streets and into safe housing.

Armed with a Mobile Housing Office van, they’re not waiting for the homeless to come to them – they’re going directly to where the help is needed most.

Targeting hotspot areas like The Strand and Dean Park, the team is connecting rough sleepers with local services to provide food, clothing, mental health support, and housing assistance.

In just over a month, they’ve already helped more than 2000 people, with over 1100 of them now placed into some form of accommodation.

“We’re seeing mums and dads, families that would normally be in a rental, struggling to find a home,” said Vicky Meyer, Acting General Manager of Housing and Homelessness.

“There’s a real mix of people, from those dealing with domestic violence to mental health and addiction issues.”

The new Mobile Housing Service van now serving the Townsville community.

Ms Meyer added that the team’s visibility in bright pink shirts and their mobile service is key to reaching people who may not otherwise seek help.

“We want to be seen, to be approachable, and to show that there’s support available for everyone,” she said.

The new Mobile Housing Service van now serving the Townsville community.

The team is also working closely with police, the council, and other local services to bring long-term solutions to Townsville’s homelessness problem.

“We’re here to make a real difference,” Ms Meyer added.

Thuringowa MP Aaron Harper said this initiative goes hand in hand with the government’s ongoing efforts to address housing needs in Townsville.

“I think in the order of around 680 homes and units have been built in Townsville while we’ve been your local members, with 60 currently under construction and there’s more to come,” he said.

Originally published as Meet the bright pink team tackling the Townsville’s homeless crisis