HOMELESS IN NEED OF HELP

THE Gold Coast Bulletin warned late last year that the city’s homeless problem would deteriorate quickly if authorities failed to address it.

In a series of articles over many months, the newspaper revealed:

● A spike in the winter homeless population around Southport, with as many as 60 people lining up for food at a Labrador park.

● Workers in Southport being given duress alarms to get to their cars because of the drugs, alcohol and fighting among the homeless in the CBD.

● Business owners complaining the crisis was affecting trade because residents were too scared to visit Southport.

● Children as young as 12 were part of a 100-person homeless army that was settling on school grounds or top tourist spots like the Broadwater Parklands in Southport.

● Kids chroming in parks.

● The boss of a leading charity said “older women are particularly vulnerable to homelessness later in life due to factors such as low superannuation funds, financial dependence on the pension and domestic and family violence”.

● In calling for more accommodation for vulnerable people, Councillor Dawn Crichlow said a woman was prostituting herself for $10 and taking men to the toilets at the library.

● Asked if the city had a homeless problem, Mayor Tom Tate replied: “Well, we do. And really it’s everyone’s problem.” He said all three tiers of government should focus on helping the homeless who, like others, were escaping from down south to “paradise”.

● In the year to June 30, 2019, the number of people on the waiting list for social housing had ballooned to 4543. It included 786 families with children and about 980 over-55s.

● Community groups were in a dispute with council over permits to feed and look after homeless people in southern parks.

● Opposition MPs called for a summit to find a solution.

All of those issues still exist today, up to a year after being exposed. In many instances, the plight of those people on the streets has worsened.

It is revealed today that homeless people are lounging on a well-known war memorial, in full view of business owners, customers and tourists. They are shirtless, drinking and surrounded by rubbish.

The scenes have been tagged as “disrespectful” and “disgraceful” by business owners and an ex-serviceman.

It is shocking, but as the Bulletin has long warned, these sorts of images will not go away without action. Homelessness is not biodegradable.

In December, we wrote that the homeless problem had become a crisis, whether it be in Southport, Surfers Paradise or Coolangatta. It is a social problem that has been allowed to fester without authorities taking the proper responsibility and requires uniform support from all sectors of society.

A flourishing, inspiring, fulfilling and evolving city is measured and represented by both its highest achievers, and most vulnerable.

We cannot continue to turn a blind eye to this problem. A mature discussion and action is well overdue.