FROM THE EXAMINER ... With the number of rough sleepers continuously rising and Homelessness Week 2023 starting on August 7, here is what the council is doing to help those sleeping rough.
According to City of Launceston figures there has been a six-fold increase in the number of service requests relating to homelessness since 2021.
That year the council received 27 requests, in 2022 the annual total was 107, while so far in 2023 it has received 164.
There are about 150 "visible" homeless people according to the council, with countless others sleeping in cars or camping in public spaces from Kings Meadows to Lilydale.
Launceston mayor Matthew Garwood said council employees received calls on a "nearly daily basis" and although willing to help, the organisation was just one of several key players.
"The City of Launceston understands that it's not a frontline crisis department but is eager to play a role alongside existing service providers to do what we can to tackle this challenging and complex social issue," Cr Garwood said.
"It's important to recognise that homelessness isn't the umbrella issue, but the result of many issues and factors faced by our community. [MOSTLY IT IS A MANIFESTATION OF HOUSING STESS AND GOVERNANCE'S FAILURE TO APPROPRIATELY ENSURE THAT THERE IS SAFE AND SECURE HOUSING FOR ALL WHO SEEK IT]
"Homelessness is a multifaceted social issue which has many drivers, nearly all of which are outside the control of local councils." [THE ISSUE IS ALL TO DO WITH POOR PLANNING AND THAT FALLS TO LOCAL GOVERNANCE]
Instead, Cr Garwood said the council works as a "facilitator" with organisations like Launceston City Mission, St Vincent de Paul Society, Anglicare Tasmania, CatholicCare Tasmania, the Salvation Army, Shekinah House, Homes Tasmania and Tasmania Police. [ALL ARE CHARITIES AND IMPORTANTLY THEY ARE NOT ANYTHING LIKE A HOUSING COOPERATIVE AND IT IS NOT THEIR ROLE]
In the first instance the council will not move a homeless person on from where they are sleeping, instead doing so as a last resort. [A WELCOME MINDSET SHIFT IF FACTUAL]
This is in part due to the wide variety of circumstances that lead to somebody being homeless, including some people that are in full-time work yet are unable to find accommodation. [AGAIN THE ISSUE IS ALL TO DO WITH POOR GOVERNANCE – NATIONAL ... STATE ... LOCAL –DISCONNECTED PLANNING AND THAT FALLS TO LOCAL GOVERNANCE]
These can also include family and domestic violence, mental health issues, substance abuse issues or a sudden change in employment. [TRUE HOWEVER THE FUNDAMENTAL ISSUE IS TO DO WITH 'GOVERNANCE' AND LOCALLY TO DO WITH PLANNING/PLACEMAKING]
While not all homeless people should be "tarred with the same negative connotations" the mayor said those that do engage in antisocial behaviour, cause health and safety concerns or obstruct access to infrastructure will be moved on. [TRUE ... AGAIN HOWEVER THE FUNDAMENTAL ISSUE IS TO TO DO WITH PLANNING/PLACEMAKING]
Cr Garwood said it came down to showing "dignity and respect".
"The City of Launceston's position is and remains that we will not move people on unless there is a clear need to do so," he said. [A WELCOMED CHANGE IN THINKING]
"Where this is a need for relocation, this process is undertaken with the support of local service providers who generally have established relationships, and are best placed to support a successful transition to alternative arrangements." [HOWEVER LOCAL GOVERNANCE'S FUNDAMENTAL ROLE IS PLANNING AND PLACEMAKING AND ADEQUATE HOUSING FOR ALL MUST BE A FUNDAMENTAL PART OF THAT]
In a bid to further support those sleeping rough the council also provides serviced portable toilets and waste management services, and has also extended the opening hours of several public toilet facilities. [TRUE BUT ONLY AFTER BEING HELD TO ACCOUNT FOR NOT DOING SO AND LATE IN THE DAY]
The council also says it is working with the YMCA at Kings Meadows to provide showers and laundry facilities. [NOT ALWAYS WELL PLANNED OR BEST PLACED SADLY]
Many of the service providers the council works with sit on the Homelessness Advisory Committee, which was founded in 2022 and seeks to refine responses as the issue evolves. [SADLY THIS COMMITTEE IN 18 MONTHS HAS MET TO TALK ABOUT WHAT CANNOT BE DONE WITHOUT RESEARCHING WHO IS DOINGB WHAT WHERE AND TOWARDS WHAT OUTCOMES]
One of the committee's key achievements has been the production of Reach Out cards, which include maps and contact information for accommodation, health services and food providers and will be mass-produced soon. [TRUE AND SADLY ON THE STREETS THIS CARD ALREADY IS BEING CALLED THE ... GO AWAY CARD]
The council is also a founding member of the Northern Community Action Group which coordinates on-the-ground responses across the region. [SADLY SUCH COMMITTEES HAVE EARNED THE THE TITLE OF 'TALK-FEST' ... A COMMITTEE THAT MEETS WITH THE OUTCOME BEING THE PROBLEM IS BEYOND IT]
According to City of Launceston figures there has been a six-fold increase in the number of service requests relating to homelessness since 2021.
That year the council received 27 requests, in 2022 the annual total was 107, while so far in 2023 it has received 164.
There are about 150 "visible" homeless people according to the council, with countless others sleeping in cars or camping in public spaces from Kings Meadows to Lilydale.
Launceston mayor Matthew Garwood said council employees received calls on a "nearly daily basis" and although willing to help, the organisation was just one of several key players.
"The City of Launceston understands that it's not a frontline crisis department but is eager to play a role alongside existing service providers to do what we can to tackle this challenging and complex social issue," Cr Garwood said.
"It's important to recognise that homelessness isn't the umbrella issue, but the result of many issues and factors faced by our community. [MOSTLY IT IS A MANIFESTATION OF HOUSING STESS AND GOVERNANCE'S FAILURE TO APPROPRIATELY ENSURE THAT THERE IS SAFE AND SECURE HOUSING FOR ALL WHO SEEK IT]
"Homelessness is a multifaceted social issue which has many drivers, nearly all of which are outside the control of local councils." [THE ISSUE IS ALL TO DO WITH POOR PLANNING AND THAT FALLS TO LOCAL GOVERNANCE]
Instead, Cr Garwood said the council works as a "facilitator" with organisations like Launceston City Mission, St Vincent de Paul Society, Anglicare Tasmania, CatholicCare Tasmania, the Salvation Army, Shekinah House, Homes Tasmania and Tasmania Police. [ALL ARE CHARITIES AND IMPORTANTLY THEY ARE NOT ANYTHING LIKE A HOUSING COOPERATIVE AND IT IS NOT THEIR ROLE]
Homeless camp near Macquarrie House. Picture Rod Thompson
Dealing with dignity and respect
In the first instance the council will not move a homeless person on from where they are sleeping, instead doing so as a last resort. [A WELCOME MINDSET SHIFT IF FACTUAL]
This is in part due to the wide variety of circumstances that lead to somebody being homeless, including some people that are in full-time work yet are unable to find accommodation. [AGAIN THE ISSUE IS ALL TO DO WITH POOR GOVERNANCE – NATIONAL ... STATE ... LOCAL –DISCONNECTED PLANNING AND THAT FALLS TO LOCAL GOVERNANCE]
These can also include family and domestic violence, mental health issues, substance abuse issues or a sudden change in employment. [TRUE HOWEVER THE FUNDAMENTAL ISSUE IS TO DO WITH 'GOVERNANCE' AND LOCALLY TO DO WITH PLANNING/PLACEMAKING]
While not all homeless people should be "tarred with the same negative connotations" the mayor said those that do engage in antisocial behaviour, cause health and safety concerns or obstruct access to infrastructure will be moved on. [TRUE ... AGAIN HOWEVER THE FUNDAMENTAL ISSUE IS TO TO DO WITH PLANNING/PLACEMAKING]
Cr Garwood said it came down to showing "dignity and respect".
"The City of Launceston's position is and remains that we will not move people on unless there is a clear need to do so," he said. [A WELCOMED CHANGE IN THINKING]
"Where this is a need for relocation, this process is undertaken with the support of local service providers who generally have established relationships, and are best placed to support a successful transition to alternative arrangements." [HOWEVER LOCAL GOVERNANCE'S FUNDAMENTAL ROLE IS PLANNING AND PLACEMAKING AND ADEQUATE HOUSING FOR ALL MUST BE A FUNDAMENTAL PART OF THAT]
In a bid to further support those sleeping rough the council also provides serviced portable toilets and waste management services, and has also extended the opening hours of several public toilet facilities. [TRUE BUT ONLY AFTER BEING HELD TO ACCOUNT FOR NOT DOING SO AND LATE IN THE DAY]
The council also says it is working with the YMCA at Kings Meadows to provide showers and laundry facilities. [NOT ALWAYS WELL PLANNED OR BEST PLACED SADLY]
Many of the service providers the council works with sit on the Homelessness Advisory Committee, which was founded in 2022 and seeks to refine responses as the issue evolves. [SADLY THIS COMMITTEE IN 18 MONTHS HAS MET TO TALK ABOUT WHAT CANNOT BE DONE WITHOUT RESEARCHING WHO IS DOINGB WHAT WHERE AND TOWARDS WHAT OUTCOMES]
One of the committee's key achievements has been the production of Reach Out cards, which include maps and contact information for accommodation, health services and food providers and will be mass-produced soon. [TRUE AND SADLY ON THE STREETS THIS CARD ALREADY IS BEING CALLED THE ... GO AWAY CARD]
The council is also a founding member of the Northern Community Action Group which coordinates on-the-ground responses across the region. [SADLY SUCH COMMITTEES HAVE EARNED THE THE TITLE OF 'TALK-FEST' ... A COMMITTEE THAT MEETS WITH THE OUTCOME BEING THE PROBLEM IS BEYOND IT]
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