Living with mental challenges, the 62-year-old disability pensioner spent a month sleeping rough on the streets before he approached St Vincent de Paul’s Townsville Men’s Shelter to ask whether he could use their shower.

“The ladies were kind enough to book me in and since I’ve done that, I’ve been going forward and I haven’t looked back,” Mr Brooks said.

“They’ve been tremendous help for me, I’m a lot healthier, fitter and cleaner.

“Without them I’d still be homeless and living out in the park or ending up in the hospital.”

After moving to Townsville from South Australia in his 20s, the former fisherman said he separated from his wife due to an alcohol addiction – a problem he fixed after giving up the booze a decade ago.

During the six weeks he spent in the shelter, Mr Brooks said his life was transformed with the support workers helping with a reading and writing course, getting a driver’s licence, before securing him a Hermit Park unit.

Despite having a roof over his head, he still occasionally pops into the shelter for food and support, and urged others to do the same.

“I would encourage anybody who is homeless or having difficulty to come here and talk to the people here. Because that is the only way you’ll get help. Otherwise, you’re just gonna go further downhill,” he said.

“I’ve even spoken with some of the homeless down on the street and said they should come and talk to the people here.”

If you or someone you know is homeless or at risk of homelessness, contact the Homelessness Hotline on 1800 474 753.

2021 Census aims to count those who are homeless

There were 1300 homeless people in the Herbert region counted in the 2016 census.

Homelessness Week (August 1-7, 2021) provides an opportunity to highlight the importance of Census data to inform services for people experiencing homelessness.

Held on August 10, 2021 Census will provide the only national estimate of the prevalence of homelessness, making it a vital resource for organisations supporting individuals and families experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness.

The Australian Bureau of Statistics will work closely with places like the Townsville Men’s Shelter, along with those sleeping rough, to allow them to participate in the Census safely and respectfully.

Census Inclusive Strategies director Georgia Chapman said census data was used to plan and fund services such as emergency shelters, domestic violence programs and transitional housing.

“Knowing how many people are experiencing homelessness means organisations can plan and target services to meet the needs of the community,” Ms Chapman said.

“With the impact that Covid-19 has had on so many of us, the 2021 Census will provide valuable insights into how the pandemic has changed life in Australia.”

For more information about how the Census supports people experiencing homelessness, visit www.census.abs.gov.au/help/homelessness.

Local pollies address Townsville’s homelessness issue

WITH an estimated 1400 people homeless in Townsville, and the problem continuing to worsen, homelessness is challenge for our politicians to step up to and overcome.

Minister for Communities and Housing Leeanne Enoch said the Queensland Government’s recent budget included a $2.9 billion housing investment – the largest concentrated investment in social housing in Queensland’s history.

“We are increasing the supply of social and affordable housing by almost 10,000 over the life of our Housing Strategy, including 7,400 new homes over the next four years,” Ms Enoch said.

“In North Queensland by June 2025, 229 new social homes will commence through QuickStarts Qld and a planned investment of $67.7 million over four years, supporting more than 214 full-time equivalent jobs.”

She said this was in addition to the 140 new social homes already commenced under the Queensland Housing Strategy 2017–2027 and 12 new social homes that are already commenced under Works for Tradies.

“In 2020/21, we have allocated more than $13 million for 14 Specialist Homelessness Services in the Townsville Local Government Area for people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness,” she said.

“Our Housing Service Centres across Queensland also provide support for people through bond loans and rental grants to help people secure affordable homes in the private rental market.

“In the past financial year, the Townsville Housing Service Centre provided more than 1,000 bond loans and 1,846 rental grants to help people secure a rental home in the region.”

The Queensland Government was also working in partnership with nine service providers to assist local rough sleepers, providing outreach three times each week in areas known for rough sleeping to provide support, housing solutions and referrals to assist rough sleepers to access accommodation.

Herbert MP Phillip Thompson acknowledged it had been a tough 18 months for our community.

“My office would receive half a dozen calls and emails each week from people in need of a place to live or are having issues with the State Government’s social housing,” Mr Thompson said.

“We’ve provided $327.3 million last financial year to the Queensland Government under the National Housing and Homelessness Agreement including $32.8 million dedicated for homelessness. It’s the State’s role and responsibility to allocate that funding and provide those services.

“We’ve also supported the Reconnect service for early intervention for young people between the ages of 12 and 18 who are at risk of homelessness.

“We can always be doing more and I’ll continue to work with our community to do everything we can to get roofs over heads.”

Labor’s Queensland Senator Nita Green said most of us knew someone who was struggling to find a place to live.

“The rental market is really tough right now and the pandemic has made this worse,” Senator Green said.

“Many people want to live and work in regional Queensland but they can’t find somewhere to live. The housing crisis is holding back our region’s recovery and growth.

“Talking to housing and homelessness service providers, we know that a lot of local families are struggling to get a roof over their heads.”

She said we needed national leadership to make a real difference on this housing crisis.

“Federal Labor has made a significant commitment to establish a $10 billion fund to build more social and affordable houses,” she said.

“But the Morrison Government is refusing to act. There wasn’t a single dollar in the Federal budget for social housing.”

leighton.smith@news.com.au