More than 5000 calls to helpline for homeless

A free Queensland Government telephone service that helps homeless people find shelter and food has received more than 5000 calls since it started last year, Communities Minister Warren Pitt told Parliament today.

Mr Pitt said the service offered help to the homeless – as well as vulnerable people at high risk of becoming homeless – 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

“This service, which operates in south-east Queensland, is a real success story, with more than 5000 callers receiving help and advice since it was launched in April last year,” he said.

“The number of calls each week has steadily increased, with the call centre now averaging about 200 enquiries a week.

“However, during the Christmas–New Year period, the service received 339 calls in early January, highlighting the need for this sort of accessible, centralised service.

“Access to accommodation is, of course, a critical issue for callers but the information that people seek from this new telephone information service is not always just about accommodation.

“It might be that a person has a health issue, a financial crisis or a legal situation that is putting them at risk of becoming homeless.

“Those people can now be directed to support services that may stop them from becoming homeless in the first place.”

Mr Pitt said the Homeless Persons Information Queensland service had been established as part of the Queensland Government’s $235 million Responding to Homelessness package.

He said that when callers contacted the service, on 1800 47 47 53, they were given practical advice such as where to get a shower, a hot meal and a bed for the night.

“Having a central point of contact like this 1800 number will have many benefits for homeless people. In particular, they will not have to ring different organisations, time after time, to find a bed or a meal,” Mr Pitt said.

“Service providers will also be freed up to spend more time with clients.

“These figures show that the introduction of this service in Queensland is a great step forward in dealing with homelessness.”

Media contact: Peter Nibbs 3235 4280