“DSCS distribute Backpack Beds to give immediate outdoor portable shelter to people who would otherwise suffer sleeping on the street – with nothing.”

Backpack Bed for Homeless CEO Tony Clark said:

“Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk, Social Services Minister Mick de Brenni and Attorney General D’Arth’s abysmal efforts are nothing short of a human rights abuse that everyone can see for themselves on the street – no government rhetoric can deceive our eyes.

“No one knows how many Australians will suffer and die unnecessarily.”

Richards said she recently dealt with a lady who had been forced out of her rental property due to
renovations, resulting in her being stranded with nowhere to go.

“I gave her a Backpack Bed which she set up at a caravan park. She is still there. And this is someone who is working full-time and can afford to pay for rent.

“I help a lot of families who are couch surfing as well. Families get split up which is devastating.”

Ms Richards said the lack of housing is also forcing the more vulnerable to leave.

“They go and live under a bridge out of town and set up camps in secluded places.

“There is very little community housing and nothing for single people. It is really hard for these people.”

Douglas Shire mayor Julia Leu said Council had been a strong advocate for more affordable housing and crisis accommodation for a long time.

Council staff has facilitated the Douglas Community Housing Group since its inception in 2012.

“Council is regularly involved in discussions with Department of Communities, local community organisations and Department of Housing about these issues,” Cr Leu said.

“The lack of services is a problem, particularly when abused women and children have nowhere to go.

“Police and community services organisations are forced to refer domestic victims to agencies in Cairns, which is shamefully inadequate.

“This is a blight on our society.”

Mayor Leu said the Douglas Shire needed a dedicated refuge for victims.

“Douglas Shire Council has adopted a functional brief that set out the gaps in current services and identified the facility needed to address the domestic and family violence issue in the region,” she said.

“It is a heinous fact that victims living in our region are stuck and this is playing into the hands of abusers.”

An ABS study revealed 49,200 people will sleep on Australian streets this year, which is up 20% from 2011.

They also revealed that 135 people sleep on the area’s streets each night as a scarcity of rental properties continues to cripple the community.

Founder Tony Clark and his wife Lisa Clark designed the life-saving Backpack Bed – which today is saving the lives of thousands of homeless across the world, while also revolutionising single person camping and disaster material aid. Despite international success, they receive no government funding.

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