Emergency shelter scheme launches across Tassie

GoodNight Tasmania launch — Tony Clark, left, with Tony Morrison and Jeremy Wilkinson. Picture: Supplied

An initiative to provide shelter to those who are most in need has kicked off statewide.

GoodNight Tasmania, a partnership between Backpack Bed for Homeless and The Harcourts Foundation, has officially launched with the distribution of Backpack Beds to nine organisations supporting Tasmania’s homeless population across Burnie, Launceston, and Hobart.

The initiative addresses the urgent need for immediate shelter solutions for Tasmanians sleeping rough, providing portable, weatherproof beds that offer comfort and dignity to those in vulnerable situations.

Nine key organisations have received their first shipment of Backpack Beds, including Launceston City Mission, The Launceston Benevolent Society, Shekinah House Inc, St Vincent de Paul Society (TAS), Anglicare Tasmania, Hobart City Mission, Neighbourhood Centre, The Link Youth Health Service, and Uniting VIC/TAS Organisation.

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GoodNight Tasmania launch.

“This partnership is a critical step in providing immediate relief and hope to those experiencing homelessness in Tasmania,” said Tony Clark, chief executive of Backpack Beds Australia.

The Harcourts Foundation’s initial donation of $22,500 has funded the first shipment of 150 Backpack Beds.

Pauline Smith, head of The Harcourts Foundation, said: “We are proud to support GoodNight Tasmania and help ensure that more Tasmanians have access to safe and dignified shelter.”

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First round of Backpack Beds being delivered.

The associated fundraising campaign, launched during Homelessness Week, has already exceeded expectations, with 189 beds currently pledged through the campaign website.

The campaign aims to deliver 231 Backpack Beds to Tasmanians experiencing homelessness.

Harcourts Tasmania chief executive Tony Morrison emphasised the broader impact. He said the impact of these Backpack Beds extends beyond just a place to sleep.

“They offer a sense of security and dignity to individuals in vulnerable situations,” he said.

The initial donation of 150 Backpack Beds was to help the 231 unsheltered homeless in Tasmania, a figure based on 2021 ABS data that represents recorded unsheltered homeless on any given night.

Harcourts agent Cordell Richardson.

Mr Morrison said, from speaking to local organisations, that the need for emergency relief and housing far exceeds this figure — possibly by six times.

“We know from speaking to local organisations on the ground that the need for emergency relief and housing in our community far exceeds this figure,” he said.

“We hope the Tasmanian community will get behind this campaign to help us exceed the target and provide Backpack Beds to unsheltered people across Tasmania.”

Harcourts Launceston director Jeremy Wilkinson said the GoodNight Tasmania campaign demonstrates the power of community collaboration in “addressing the urgent needs of our homeless population”.

For more information, visit the GoodNight Tasmania website.

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