More than 1,500 Brisbane children listed as experiencing homelessness

More than 1,500 children in Brisbane are listed as experiencing homelessness, according to recent data from Brisbane Zero. This figure includes 984 families, with 1,539 children identified as being without stable housing in the city. Caitlyn Wheatley, a youth ambassador with the Foyer Foundation, emphasized that each person sleeping rough represents a fellow human being.

More than 70% of the families listed were single mothers. The list of people accessing services is compiled by Brisbane Zero, a coalition of 32 organizations dedicated to ending homelessness. The snapshot helps understand the scale of homelessness, identify gaps in support, and track changing needs over time. The number of families surveyed nearly doubled in the last year.

The Salvation Army's Acting Regional Manager, Jonathan Dyer, described the situation as "quite dire," particularly concerning the number of children experiencing homelessness. The data reveals that 321 families were homeless for the first time, 268 were First Nations, and 56 had been experiencing homelessness for over a year. Of those housed, 41% were in social housing and 35% in private rentals.

Additionally, 2,326 individuals were listed as experiencing homelessness, with 985 homeless for the first time and 604 identifying as First Nations. Micah Projects Acting Chief Executive, Bridget Kinch, highlighted the need for a collaborative approach, as homelessness involves health, housing, and community services working together.

The limited availability of affordable housing and the rising cost of living exacerbate the problem, pushing more people into homelessness due to financial constraints.