Spending long nights without shelter is sadly a frightening reality for a growing number of Sunshine Coast families.
While it is difficult to determine exactly how many people the crisis impacts, the most recent data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics indicates an estimated 122,494 people in Australia were experiencing homelessness at the time of the 2021 Census.
This was an increase of 6067 people (5.2 per cent) since 2016.
Of that number, it was estimated 1380 people on the Sunshine Coast were homeless at the 2021 Census, with this expected to be significantly more in 2023.
The main causes of homelessness are poverty, domestic violence, unaffordable rents and the rising cost of living, and the definition of homelessness encompasses many situations, from an inadequate dwelling to no dwelling and even couch surfing.
With this growing number of people sleeping rough as the region experiences a critical shortage of housing, Vinnies Queensland is urging local community and business leaders to spend a night without shelter to raise vital funds for homelessness support.
This winter, the annual Vinnies CEO Sleepout returns to the Sunshine Coast at the Maroochy Surf Club.
President of the Sunshine Coast region for Vinnies Queensland, Beryl Rowan, encouraged local CEOs and leaders to join the initiative and spend the night sleeping on the sand to raise important funds for crisis accommodation for local families.
“The Sunshine Coast has seen some of the worst of this state-wide housing crisis, with rent prices increasing dramatically and emergency housing options all at capacity,” Ms Rowan said.
“The funds raised by participants of our CEO Sleepout will go towards providing emergency accommodation for local families who would otherwise be sleeping rough.
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“With so many Sunshine Coast families facing the awful reality of sleeping in their cars or in tents or on the streets, to able to provide a safe and secure place to sleep is invaluable.
“But considering the crisis we are seeing on the Coast, it will take all of us working together to help.”
Event ambassador and Sunshine Coast Business Council chair Sandy Zubrinich said she was looking forward to the Sunshine Coast business community coming together and sleeping rough to raise much-needed funds.
“The Sleepout isn’t easy when you’re used to your nice bed and doona at home – but one cold and uncomfortable night is worth it to help the families on the Sunshine Coast living homeless every single day,” she said.
“The Sunshine Coast Business Council is proud to continue our support of this important initiative.
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“Our members have been participating since 2014, raising around $100,000 for Vinnies’ homelessness support work in this time.
“I invite our Sunshine Coast business community to rally their teams, raise the funds and join us on the beach on June 22 to help those without a place to call home.
“Shelter is a basic human right that every Australian should have access to.”
Vinnies Queensland is hoping to raise $2m for vital homelessness support at this year’s CEO Sleepout, through events in Brisbane, the Sunshine Coast, Gold Coast and community sleepouts throughout regional Queensland.
For more information, or to register for the 2023 Sleepout, visit CEO Sleepout.
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