- In short: A trailer containing seven "sleeping pods" set up by homelessness charity Strike It Out is sitting empty and unused, as the charity accuses the local council of putting up barriers to the project.
- Strike It Out is concerned about people sleeping on the streets and in cars as winter approaches.
- What's next? Launceston City Council says the charity needs to provide a detailed proposal and risk assessment so it can assess the project's feasibility.
At a storage facility in northern Tasmania, temporary accommodation for people experiencing homelessness sits empty.
In 2019, Launceston-based homelessness charity Strike It Out purchased seven "sleeping pods" from local accommodation provider Pod Inn and had them fitted into a trailer.
The charity's founder, Kirsten Ritchie, had a vision to give people on the streets a safe place to sleep at night and facilitate access to services such as TAFE Tasmania courses and counselling.
It's a much-needed service as homelessness is a greater issue in Launceston than in some other places.
The latest census data, from 2021, shows 67 in every 10,000 people in Launceston are homeless, compared to the national average of 48.
The sleep pod project is ready to go, and Ms Ritchie is hoping to line up seven women to initially stay in the pods for a small fee of about $50 a week.
"This is about transitioning them from on the street, to giving them the tools and the skills and whatever that looks like for a successful future," Ms Ritchie said.
The trailer also contains lockers, and is equipped with solar panels to supply the pods with electricity. A second trailer has been fitted out with two showers.
Sleeping pods have been used before as crisis accommodation in Brisbane, while charities in regional Queensland have set up "sleep buses".
But after finishing the project, which cost more than $100,000, the trailers are sitting unused outside the charity's Newstead storage facility because there is nowhere to put them.
"It's just sitting there when we've got people that need help – not tomorrow, today," she said.
"We're coming into winter and there's still no action."
Back and forth with council on red tape
Strike It Out last year put an expression of interest in for a Launceston City Council-owned space on Frederick Street, where there used to be a kindergarten.
That was ultimately given to the Launceston History Centre.
The council said it needed a detailed written proposal, including a risk assessment, to consider Strike It Out's project for other sites.
"Once this is provided, the City of Launceston will be in a position to investigate the project's feasibility, taking into account the fact that safety is super important," Launceston mayor Matthew Garwood said.
"The City of Launceston appreciates the proactive approach of organisations such as Strike It Out, and will continue to work alongside community organisations and all levels of government to take collective action to support those experiencing homelessness."
Ms Ritchie said Strike It Out had been speaking to the council about the project for two years, and had submitted a formal proposal last year, which included risk mitigation strategies.
"When we did an expression of interest for Frederick Street, I emailed every counsellor and the mayor — they got a copy of our proposal," she said.
Site manager, security cameras to help manage risks
The proposal, provided to the ABC, outlines risk mitigation strategies such as the presence of an around-the-clock site manager, security cameras, medical/duress alarms and smoke alarms.
Ms Ritchie said a location had been secured with the council in the project's early days, but it became unfeasible when the space available to the charity was cut in half.
She accused the council of putting up barriers to the project and not communicating.
"It is ready to go, and at end the day, be proactive — we're here to help our community members, that's what we're here for,"
She has now prepared a detailed risk assessment which she will send to council, along with the proposal.
Launceston City Council has a homelessness advisory committee, and recently closed consultation on its draft statement of commitment on homelessness.
"Although local government typically has restricted influence on the root factors leading to homelessness, the City of Launceston is committed to assuming a leadership role with a people-first approach," the statement says.
Cold nights starting to bite
In the evenings, Strike It Out staff are on the streets handing out food and supplies to people like Greg Davy.
Mr Davy has been homeless for just over a year, and used to volunteer with Strike It Out himself.
He is part of a community staying at the disused tram shed in the Launceston suburb of Invermay.
"We've got power and everything, we've got shelter, we've got a firepot," he said.
"Most other people are not so lucky, winter time is going to be very hard for them."
Mr Davy is disappointed the sleeping pod project has not yet gotten off the ground, having seen all the work Ms Ritchie put into it.
"You couldn't get a better set up, but they keep blocking it, they won't let her put it anywhere," he said.
He is planning to apply for a rental soon, but believes the project would make a big difference for others sleeping on the streets.
"It would mean everything to them," he said.
"Because they've got a warm bed, air conditioning, lights, it's secure so they can lock it down," he said.
"It's dog eat dog out there."
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