Hub gets 60 inquiries a week for support

THE newly-formed Toowoomba Housing Hub on Russell St now deals with 60 inquiries a week for support.

The Queensland-first co-op, which brought together several services under one roof thanks to the State Government, has been overwhelmed by people wanting help.

Lifeline Darling Downs CEO Derek Tuffield said the level of interest was far beyond than the co-op’s original expectations when the hub was founded in August.

“The demand is currently outstripping supply,” he said.

“I think it has the potential to get worse, and that’s where the need for continued development of social housing becomes incredibly important.

“If the numbers continue to increase, then our numbers will need to increase.”

Aside from emergency and public housing, Mr Tuffield said services providing food and hygiene products were also being tested.

“THH is supported by Yellow Bridge, Ozcare among many other organisations. Some of the issues is housing, but it could be counselling, emergency food, so not just one thing,” he said.

“The demand here for food has remained constant.

“Families are still struggling, and we’ve got 15 families a day coming here wanting food.

“For a lot of people, you’re two pay cheques away from homelessness.”

Despite the massive demand, Mr Tuffield the Housing Hub had already delivered plenty of results for participants.

“One lady we worked with had been living in her car for so long she’s experienced serious back issues,” he said.

“We managed to get her support for both her housing and medical issues.”

More housing hubs are expected to be rolled out across the state, something Mr Tuffield applauded.