The Bundaberg community has banded together to support individuals and families who are living rough.
Bundy’s Sleepbus has surpassed its $100,000 fundraising goal with volunteers now being recruited for its operation. *
Member for Burnett Stephen Bennett said homelessness in the Bundaberg region has reached a critical level.
“Our community saw a problem and didn’t hesitate to do everything they could to fix it,” he said.
“I’m proud to be a sponsor of the Sleepbus; a not-for-profit, volunteer led venture that will provide safe, temporary overnight accommodation to those sleeping rough.”
Bundaberg Housing and Homelessness Forum co-chairperson Justin McNellie said, in a regular discussion, members of the forum had raised the concept.
“We are always looking for and advocating for more long term, sustainable and affordable housing options, both from the Government and the private sector,” Mr McNellie said.
“In saying that, we recognise that there is no single solution to the housing and homelessness problem.
“Instead, we recognise there are many small solutions that are needed to end homelessness and support those at risk of homelessness, Sleepbus being a crucial part of that solution for those in the greatest need in Bundaberg.”
Member for Burnett Stephen Bennett said there’s still a lot of work to be done to fix the housing crisis.
“While I am so grateful for the generous donations that will make this Sleepbus a reality, I’m bitterly disappointed that it had to get to this,” he said.
“The number of people waiting for social housing in the Wide Bay has grown by 25 percent in five years. **
“It’s only since Labor blew into Bundaberg in 2020 that we’ve seen dozens of families forced to live in tents and makeshift shelters under the Tallon Bridge.
“The Palaszczuk Government’s big glossy announcements are clearly not delivering results.
“The chaos and crisis that has engulfed this Labor Government is affecting more Queenslanders every day.”
As the only registered builder amongst Queensland MP’s, Burnett MP Stephen Bennett said an LNP Government knows how to fix the housing crisis by using the Housing Investment Fund to build new homes.
“Instead of making life harder for renters by taking homes out of the private markets, an LNP Government would use the Housing Investment Fund to increase housing supply,” said Mr Bennett.
“We would also prioritise infrastructure partnerships with local government to unlock more land for housing, unleash the community housing sector and set KPIs to deliver social housing projects on-time and on-budget.
“An LNP government will fight the battles that matter to Queenslanders and their families, unlike the tired, self-obsessed Labor Government that’s stuck fighting amongst themselves.”
For more information on the sleep bus, visit: sleepbus : Home
For a video update on the Bundaberg Sleepbus, visit: SLEEPBUS NEWS | HAPPY MONDAY. All services all weekend and an exciting new upgrade for the caretakers beds. ?? | By sleepbus | Facebook (at 2:30)
* Source: Help bring a sleepbus® to Bundy | Our Bundaberg Region
| Social Housing Wait List – Wide Bay | |
| As at… | People |
| Jun-18 | 1,819 |
| Jun-23 | 2,277 |
| % Change | 25.2% |
** Source: Social Housing Register – Dataset – Open Data Portal | Queensland Government
ENDS.
20/09/2023