Explosion in homeless
BASE Services reports increase in demand for beds and supplies
TIFF Sparry gave more backpack beds to people dealing with homelessness last month than she ever has before.
The director of the BASE Services in Toowoomba renewed her calls for more crisis accommodation in the region, saying thousands would be sleeping rough this Easter weekend.
Mrs Sparry said the number of people living homeless in the city had dramatically increased in recent months.
A new study from the Australian Bureau of Statistics has found the rate of homelessness in Toowoomba has increased by 77 per cent since 2011.
This is eight times the state average, and something Mrs Sparry said was having a devastating effect.
“We gave more backpack beds last month than we ever have in our history – we can’t believe how many backpack beds we’ve given out,” she said.
“I think that homelessness is a growing issue in Toowoomba – there’s often a lack of accommodation, especially if you’re a woman.”
Mrs Sparry said the dispersal of backpack beds – lightweight, waterproof swags that can be comfortable in all seasons – have made a difference to those in the homeless community.
But she said it was a last resort, when a better solution was a real place to sleep.
“Over the last 10 years, we’ve lost a lot of cheap accommodation and crisis accommodation in Toowoomba,” she said.
“I’ll come across families (who need help) but there is not much accommodation.
“We have these people coming through who have nothing left, they might even be staying in a tent.”
The BASE Services offer backpack beds, food and grocery supplies to those less fortunate or sleeping rough.
Head to baseservices.com.au for more information or to support them.