Tent city tip of iceberg: charity boss

CHARITIES are concerned about the growing number of homeless sleeping rough in tents, under bridges and in cars as overnight temperatures dip towards zero.

“Tents are anywhere and everywhere,” said Hobart City Mission partnerships manager Michelle Folder.

“If you keep your eyes out, you’ll see tents in reserves and places they possibly shouldn’t be. They are anywhere that people can squeeze them, it’s just horrendous.”

Ms Folder said there were more than 1600 homeless people in Tasmania, and about 160 of them were sleeping rough without a roof.

“It’s a really shocking issue, I don’t know if the average person realises how bad it is.”

She said people were not only couch surfing but sleeping in “wildly inappropriate accommodation”, including fam- ilies living in cars and under the Tasman Bridge.

About 10 homeless groups are continuing to live at the Hobart Showground, including seven in tents and three in caravans.

Among those was a family with four children and a pregnant woman, said the Hobart Show Society’s Scott Gadd.

“We’ve seen a few get temporary emergency accommodation, but as soon as I lose one, I gain another.”

He said a pregnant woman arrived recently with nothing but two thin camping mattresses. Other items have since been sourced for her.

Ms Folder said the housing crisis was hurting many across the state, as a lack of accommodation was driving up rent prices and pushing even twoincome families into need and overcrowded housing.

The recent floods had also had an impact, as people lost entire fridge and freezer loads of food and needed to restock.

The City Mission is calling for donations of blankets, jumpers, sleeping bags, socks and other warm items to help other people facing winter without a roof.

As part of this year’s Winter Appeal, the City Mission has partnered with Northgate shopping centre at Glenorchy to provide a space for donations — at the old Wendy’s location next to Target.

“We encourage everyone to donate new and second-hand winter warmers to help those struggling in our community,” said the centre’s marketing manager Verity Davis.

Financial donations for the winter appeal are also being taken at Northgate’s management office, opposite Rockmans.

The donations from Northgate will be sent to Hobart City Mission’s Op Shops for individuals experiencing hardship. They will also be sold to help pay for the mission’s services.