A Safe and Dry Night’s Sleep
Through the provision of temporary shelter during extreme weather events, this project increases the resilience and wellbeing of Byron Shire’s rough sleeping community.
The Project
The Severe Wet Weather Shelter project seeks to address the immediate need of rough sleepers in the Byron Shire during extreme weather events. It provides shelter, bedding, food and drinks, dry clothing and basic material aid for short periods of approximately 3-5 days.
The project is funded by the Byron Community Centre. The Byron Uniting Church and Anglican Church provide shelter. St Vincent de Paul provides dry clothing, and tea and coffee facilities. The Liberation Larder provides food, and trained volunteers are sourced by the Community Centre. Appropriately qualified security staff and community service workers are contracted to oversee the operation of each shelter.
Instead of being forced to shelter in shop alcoves or other private property, the response provides a safe and supportive solution for rough sleepers during extreme weather events.
Donate Today
It costs $1,400 per night to run the Severe Wet Weather Shelter. This includes community workers, trained volunteers, security personnel and the provision of food, clothing and bedding. We currently have enough funding for 12 more nights but expect to be down to 9 nights by the end of this week and need support to run this vital service.
Please consider donating to our severe weather project. Your kind donation will help us implement and refine the project.
“The Severe Wet Weather Shelter project provides a dry and safe night’s sleep for vulnerable people who would otherwise be completely exposed to the elements.” – Ianna Murray, BCC Community Worker
Background
Homelessness is an increasing issue in Byron Bay. The Byron Shire has the second highest number of rough sleepers in NSW behind inner city Sydney. There is nowhere for rough sleepers to go for shelter on any given night in Byron Bay, and no day-time drop in centre for those experiencing various forms of homelessness.
Each year, the Byron Shire experiences multiple extreme weather events, typically heavy rainfall over a number of days and nights and associated flooding. Generally, these events aren’t serious enough to trigger formal State Government Emergency Evacuation Responses, but they have significant physical, emotional and psychological impacts on the large numbers of rough sleepers in the local area.
As well as directly benefiting rough sleepers during extreme weather events, the project improves the safety and security of the wider community and alleviates community-wide concerns regarding the impromptu use of both public and private property by rough sleepers during extreme weather events.
For more information about this project contact: Ianna Murray P: 02 66 856 807 E: caseworker@byroncentre.com.au