Responding to homelessness

Sunshine Coast Council collaborates to support services for people experiencing homelessness as builds capacity to support community led responses.

Over 116,000 Australians are homeless, including 1667 people on the Sunshine Coast.

The main causes of homelessness are:

a lack of social and affordable housing
low rental vacancy rate
unaffordable rents
domestic and family violence
financial stress
physical, mental health and addiction.

Definition

A person is homeless if their current living arrangement:

is in an inadequate dwelling
has no tenure, or if their initial tenure is short and not extendable
does not allow them to have control of and access to space for social relations.

Thus, homelessness includes people who are:

sleeping rough
sleeping in cars and mobile homes
utilising crisis and temporary accommodation
living in overcrowded housing
staying with family and friends.

Support available

If you are experiencing homelessness or domestic and family violence you can call:

Housing Service Centre phone (07) 5352 7333
Homeless Hotline phone 1800 474 753
DVConnect phone 1800 811 811

The Sunshine Coast Housing and Homelessness Directory[1099KB] is a pocket-sized guide. It contains details for organisations that are providing services to people:

at risk of homelessness
experiencing homelessness.

To order copies of the directory contact council or email [email protected]

Role of State Government

The Queensland Government is the lead agency responsible for reducing homelessness in Queensland.

Role of Council

Council acknowledges that homelessness requires a whole of community response to address. Council is:

Partnering with State Government, community services, community groups and local housing providers.
Supporting the Sunshine Coast Housing & Homelessness Network.
Providing referrals to support services to support those experiencing homelessness.
Raising awareness of homelessness and how the community can make a difference.
Publishing the Sunshine Coast Housing and Homelessness Directory that outlines support services.
Advocating for social, affordable and specialist housing across the region.
Supporting community projects to respond to homelessness.

Council treats people experiencing homelessness with dignity and respect. And respects their right to access public space and public amenities.

Council will only engage with a person if:

They are in need of help.
There are public health and safety issues.
They are not complying with a relevant law or regulation.
Their belongings affect the use of public space or amenities.

How you can help?

Education

Increase your understanding and become involved in campaigns to end homelessness.

Donate or volunteer

Contact a service in the Sunshine Coast Housing and Homelessness Directory. Enquire about what you can donate, or volunteer your time and skills.

Support or start a community-led initiative

Homelessness is a complex issue that requires a whole of community response. There are various community led solutions in response to homelessness across the Sunshine Coast. If you would like to know more about how you can be involved please contact council or email [email protected]

Join a campaign

Visit Homelessness Australia and Everybody’s Home campaign to learn more and become involved in campaigns to end homelessness.

Homelessness Week

Homelessness Week is held in August each year. The purpose is to raise awareness of homelessness. For more information about resources, events and how you can get involved visit Homelessness Australia website.