Nearly 300 Tasmanians will sleep in the cold tonight in a powerful display of solidarity, as Hobart City Mission’s annual Sleep Rough fundraiser kicks off at PW1.
The event aims to raise $300,000 for critical emergency accommodation and food relief services amid unprecedented demand, with organisers reporting they’ve only reached half their target as participants prepare to bed down.
Sleep Rough organiser Em Marriott said this year’s event carries extra significance.
“So many Tasmanians have no safe and secure housing and are turning to Hobart City Mission as a lifeline, so it’s more important than ever to join the fight against homelessness,” she said.
With 5,069 applicants on the Tasmanian Housing register, the highest number ever recorded, the state’s housing crisis has reached a critical point.
Housing Services Program Manager Ewan Higgs described Hobart City Mission’s emergency accommodation program as being under immense strain.
“We’ve seen a real spike in demand recently and we’re turning people away every night,” he said.
“We’re a small organisation helping Hobart’s most disadvantaged, no matter how complex their needs, and that cohort is growing.”
“While we’re working with the government to secure a more sustainable funding footing, we’re turning to our greatest supporters, the generous local community, to donate to Sleep Rough if you’re able.”
The annual sleep out, now in its fourth year, has participants spending the night either inside the PW1 shed or outside on the forecourt, experiencing a small taste of rough sleeping.
Over the past three years, Sleep Rough has raised more than $580,000, supporting programs including ‘DIY Dads’ for fathers, ‘Small Steps’ for young mums and emergency relief spaces.
Donations remain open until the end of June at sleeprough.com.au, with organisers hopeful of reaching their $300,000 target.
