Winter chill hits homeless hard
WHEN you snuggle under your warm blankets tonight, spare a thought for those who might not be so lucky.
Homelessness is a harsh reality in our community and hundreds of people are faced with the daunting prospect of finding somewhere to sleep every night.
Census figures from 2006 show there were 663 homeless people in the Caboolture Shire and the rate of homelessness was 50 people per 10,000 of the population. This number is expected to change dramatically with 2011 figures to be released later this year.
Vinnie has been living on and off the streets for many years and is now residing in a tent in Caboolture.
He admits he likes having peace and quiet and no one to bother him but there were times when being homeless was difficult.
"I've been on the streets for a long time and everything I have is in my tent with me," Vinnie said. "I'm always on the move because you can't always stay in the same place."
Although the cold and wet weather hasn't dampened his spirits too much Vinnie said he was lucky he had some form of shelter.
"The cold weather doesn't bother me too much, I've got my sleeping bag," he said.
One group trying to make a difference by providing emergency shelter in the form of water resistant swags to homeless people throughout Australia is Street Swags.
However, the charity group is working hard to keep up with demand and one Caboolture group eagerly awaiting more swags is Friends of the Street Crisis Centre.
"We've been told we'll be receiving 160 swags," Friends of the Street founder/co-ordinator Phill McLean said.
"They were very popular last year and I'm sure they will go quickly again with Vinnie one of the recipients along with many other clients.
"There are a lot of people struggling out there especially in the wet and cold and it's beyond sad, no one should have to live like this."
Street Swags founder Jean Madden said the group was sending swags out as fast as possible and spending funds to produce more.
For more about Street Swags or to make a donation visit streetswags.org.
HOMELESSNESS
105,000 homeless every day in Australia
44,000 are under the age of 25
National turn away rates for accommodation are about 54%, up to 82% for homeless families.
