Vinnies Homelesness Breakfast

This year’s annual Homelessness Awareness Breakfast at Legacy Park, hosted by the St Vincent De Paul Society (Vinnies), placed a sharp focus on people experiencing homelessness across Tasmania.

“This is an important event as it provides everyone who attends with an opportunity to hear from those who have experienced homelessness,” Vinnies Tasmania President Corey McGrath said.

“This year breakfast attendees heard from a resident of Bethlehem House, Vinnies’ temporary accommodation for men experiencing homelessness.

“The breakfast provides information about the work that is being done by individuals and organisations that assist those currently experiencing homelessness, while also deepening awareness that so much more is still to be achieved.”

The 2024 theme for Homelessness Awareness Week is ‘homelessness action now’ and Vinnies is advocating for more support for those experiencing homelessness.

“We have seen more than 3,500 Tasmanians come through the doors seeking emergency relief since January this year,” Mr McGrath said.

“For some Tasmanians homelessness is temporary, but for too many others the pursuit of safe, affordable and secure housing is incredibly difficult.

“These people go far too long without a place to call home and the impact on their lives is dramatic.

“We have reached a critical point in Tasmania where we are in desperate need of social and affordable housing to assist the exponential number of people experiencing homelessness.”

Vinnies is encouraging all governments to work together to solve the pressures of homelessness.