Homelessness week to support Toowoomba rough sleepers

Next week dozens of people will be joining rough sleepers, to get a taste of living on Toowoomba’s streets and raise money to support those who sleep rough every night. Here’s how you can get involved:

Leaders from dozens of Toowoomba based organisations have gathered in preparation for Homelessness Week in August. Picture: Bella Munro

This years’ Homelessness Week theme is one many will understand: ‘How is the housing crisis affecting you?’

Next week Base Services Toowoomba will host their annual Homelessness week, raising money for the vulnerable people who are most impacted by the ongoing housing crisis.

Housing affordability is the fastest growing cause of Homelessness in Australia, according to Salvation Army.

Australians seeking assistance for housing affordability stress has increased from 19 percent in 2013-14 to 36 per cent in 2023-24.

Base Services Coordinator Nat Spary said there are thousands of people on the housing list in Toowoomba including many families.

“It just breaks your heart to see kids sleeping in tents with their family,” he said.
“The housing shortages, because of the cost of living and increasing rent, it’s huge.

“Homelessness is happening to everybody and anyone, from all walks of life now.”

There were 3091 people on the Toowoomba and South West Housing Service Centre waitlist as of December last year, according to the Queensland Government.

Homeless Week Expo will be on at Toowoomba Library Precinct on Monday August 5.

Dozens of Toowoomba organisations are coming together to offer a wide range of services for the event including volunteer medical professionals, housing support services, haircuts from barbers and hairdressers, clothing and bedding, food items, and more.

Homeless for a Night sleepout starts later that day and a Homeless week breakfast the next morning.

Donations can be made here to support the cause.