‘Luckiest country in the world but we can’t look after our own’: Homelessness numbers swell to 900 in Toowoomba

The cost of living and homelessness is hitting Toowoomba so hard, that one of Toowoomba’s biggest charities are helping up to 900 people per week.

More than 900 people across Toowoomba each week are seeking support from homelessness charity Tony’s Kitchen.

Tony’s Kitchen founder Tony Hurle said the deepening cost-of-living and homelessness crisis is putting the charity - which helps the city’s less fortunate with hot meals, showers and clothing - under extreme strain.

“We had 137 for dinner on Sunday night, we used to see about 600-700 people a week but now we are seeing 800-900 a week,” Mr Hurle said.

“Years ago it used to be younger people from ages 15 to 45 living on the streets, but now we are seeing people aged 15 to 95 sleeping in their cars, and an increase in DV cases and people who are unemployed.

“We get people come in here in their work uniforms, this is everyday working people, we have working nurses coming in for a meal because all their payments go towards mortgages and I have a staff member who pays 80 per cent of his wage on his mortgage.

Darling Downs Health data revealed there are 878 residents without a home in Toowoomba and 22,395 across the state.

Tony Hurle said they were seeing 900 people a week coming in for hot meals. (from left) Greg Kowald, Tony Hurle and Andrew Bullen at Tony's Community Kitchen, Monday, August 16, 2021. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Mr Hurle said the crisis was having a two pronged impact on charities with more people in need of their services and it costing more for them to provide.

“It is $105,000 for the building here, our water bill has gone from $1000 to $3000, insurance has gone through the roof and all the charities are feeling it,” he said.

“We have a lot of people who need our help and I am so proud we are here seven days a week. We want to able to continue but we need to look to the future to see what we can change to be financially viable.

“We need people to open their hearts and their purse strings and support us, I understand it is hard for everyone but charities are not immune to the cost of things going up.

“Without such services you would see crime rates increase, mental health issues grow, it is well known that if you feed someone and they have a full stomach they are less likely to offend.”

Tony Hurle said many homeless people were judged by “armchair critics”. (from left) Greg Kowald, Lea Barnett, Tony Hurle, Ruth Turner, Michael Glennon, Cassie Muller, Sue Gotz, Wayne Barnett, Beth Webb and Andrew Stone at the Focus HR Business Excellence Awards 2023 hosted by Toowoomba Chamber at Rumours International, Saturday, October 21, 2023. Picture: Kevin Farmer

 Mr Hurle said he would like to see “armchair critics” come down and see the reality of the homeless epidemic rather than writing homeless people off as “lazy” or “druggies”.

“They aren't all druggies, people may live their lives in different way but at the end of the day they are still human I think they need to be looked after and we should be a compassionate community and help those people,” he said.

“We are seeing people who come in here that should be medicated but the problem is there is a six month waiting list to be assessed, other people pay stupid amounts for life saving medication and can't afford rent.”

Tony’s Kitchen is located at 174A James Street, South Toowoomba while their Op shop can be found at 232 North Street, Toowoomba.

Donations can be made via their website here.