Maroochy Sleepbus
Despite it's reputation for spectacular beaches and rural hinterland, the Sunshine Coast is facing significant challenges in terms of homelessness.
Maroochy Neighbourhood Centre Inc. is seeking support to purchase a converted sleep bus for those experiencing homelessness on the Sunshine Coast. The bus will be built, operated and maintained by Victorian Organisation sleepbus®. The bus is fitted out with up to 20 secure, climate controlled,individual sleep pods in twin cabins, each with a lockable door and toilet.
The cost to build the sleepbus® is $100,000 which may sound a lot, but keeping people homeless on the Coast costs upwards of $30,000 per person per year. The federal government spends $15,000 on average per person on services, however, people experiencing homelessness cost almost $30,000 or more for the same services than those stably housed. $14,507 more on health services and $5,906 in criminal justice services than the general population per person.
The combination of no men’s emergency shelter and extremely limited accommodation for women within the sunshine coast, high rents and a critical shortage of affordable housing rentals, has created severe housing stress among a significant portion of the community and forced a significant number into temporary or permanent homelessness.
When people become homeless, they are uprooted from their homes, family, friends, neighbours, and their community. While experiencing homelessness, it is very challenging to cook, store food and do things that many of us take for granted
like sleeping, taking a shower, brushing our teeth, going to the bathroom, and washing clothes. It can also be hard to find or maintain work, school and/or care for pets.
Homeless people stay in cars, tents, parks, under bridges, on the streets and bushland.
They may also live temporarily with friends, family and occasionally in cheap motels. People experiencing homelessness who live rough in public spaces often experience unprovoked acts of violence and other traumatic events or are fined for sleeping in a parked car or have it removed due to being unregistered.
The effects of homelessness are significant and can be long-lasting. Homeless people experience great physical and mental stress, which can result in health challenges that exacerbate pre-existing conditions and disabilities.
There have been a number people who have been exited into homelessness from Sunshine Coast hospitals post-op and recovery and after receiving chemotherapy treatments, experienced domestic violence, sexual assaults, and other traumatic events that led to increased feelings of uncertainty, vulnerability, and isolation.
Many homeless people do not have access to regular medical, physical or mental health care treatment, education and job training opportunities. All of these challenges make it difficult to enhance skills they may have had in the past, earn a living and move forward with life.
It is often said, “Housing is healthcare.” Housing is safety and security. Housing provides a stable launchpad from which people can get and keep a job, address mental illness and substance use, take care of their health and nutrition, and find
purposeful roles in the community.
As stated earlier the $100,000 may sound a lot, but compared to the cost of doing nothing it's essentially “chicken feed”.
· Bus purchase and build $80,000
<!-- [if !supportLists]-->· Operational readiness and delivery to service area $20,000
Once the $100k has been raised and donated to Sleepbus®, the build begins and depending on current build
schedule, takes approximately 12-16 weeks to build and begin service. This may be longer due to the COVID -19 Pandemic and transportation to Queensland.
<!--[endif]-->sleepbus® is responsible for and manages all operational requirements, including running costs of the service. This ongoing service cost is covered via sponsorship of the service; $35-$50k per year.
<!--[endif]-->The sleepbus® organisation owns the sleepbus® vehicle and runs the service; they do not sell their vehicles or “franchise” the service operation to third parties.
When we provide shelter, the way people live their lives changes dramatically. However, if we continue to keep people chronically homeless, our taxes need to be directed towards hospital beds, ambulance and police callouts, hospital
emergency admittance's, administration costs, and the criminal justice system.
For further information on this fundraising initiative or to learn more about sleepbus® go to www.sleepbus.org or phone Mark at Maroochy Neighbourhood Centre on 07 5443 6696.
Event Information
Monday 11th May 08:30Maroochy Neighbourhood Centre Inc
Thank you to my Supporters
$515
Anonymous
$400
Jayden Nash+ Sh,kt,kh,jw, Ak, Ap
Money Raised from the 7 peaks for SleepBus event
$320
Alice Burns
$260
Josh Scanlan
$250
Yoga Nidra Sunshine Coast Australia Yogart
Fundraiser from our Sunday Sleepy Slumber Yoga Nidra session at Currimundi + watercolour painting and vegan morning tea plus donations from kind hearted community members. A terrific cause. Happy to help out again. Anna.
$208
Peter Mcgurgan
$150
Judd Family
$125
Jeremy Fletcher
$120
Denise And Lucas
$112.32
Colleen Kellogg
Just a little start for 2021. Stay safe!
$104
Carys Martin Ceramics
Good Luck Lisa! Great cause.
$104
Anonymous
Everyone deserves to sleep safely. Wonderful effort. Good luck.
$104
Tasha Moon
$100
Dean Harris
Clearly mad as a box of frogs but you go girl. With you all the way (in spirit). Lots of love 💕
$100
Steven Sharp
Hope you achieve your goal, and help eradicate homelessness!!
$70
Anonymous
Good luck everyone! Amazing cause.
$60.32
Casey And Esther De Lyster
$52
Suzanne Armstrong
Great cause!!
$52
Wendy Cook
$52
Michael Fletcher
Hope this little donation helps xxx
$52
Liz
Great cause 👏👏👏👏
$52
Marketing Theproduct
This is such a worthy cause, sorry we can't donate more, but our budget is already full for the year. I just couldn't let this slip past without helping somehow :-)
$52
Insuring Theproduct
This is a great cause, we'd love to help more, but the budget is already complete for 2020 - but wanted to help in some way.
$52
Moira Forde
$52
Nana Nash
$52
Hayley Teasdale
Awesome cause
$52
Binky Cunningham
$52
Ron Draper
Congratulations to you all.
$52
Suzanne Hulmr
$52
Anonymous
$52
Andrea Church
$52
Fredginald
$52
Joy Dennien
I would like to donate to this wonderful cause “Sleepbus”..... I am so proud of 3 beautiful girls doing the 7 Peaks Jess, Lainey & Julie
$50
Ken Filbey Financial Services Pty Ltd
$50
Alton Wolfe
A really good cause.
$41.60
Sue Kelly
$41.60
Anonymous
$31.20
Melanie Williams
$31.20
Pete, Dan And Clan
We’ll be cheering you all on!!!
$28.38
Adrian Fletcher
Good luck bruv ypu got this 👍🏼
$26
Anonymous
$26
Donna Sevinga
$26
Russell Fletcher
Good luck bro
$26
Sharon
What a great cause! Well done Lisa.
$26
Renae Duncan
$26
Jacqui Braddon
$26
Annette Laenen
You guys are doing great things, love your work!
$26
Neil Dickinson
I think this is such a good idea very happy to donate
$26
Jason Miller
$26
Gill Young
Good luck Deb
$26
Tracy Stenton
Great cause 😁
$26
Loren Wilkins
Much love
$26
Jo Ward
A Great cause. Good luck Deb!
$26
Claire Doyle
Well done
$26
Louise Harrick
Great cause Deb. Good Luck. You go girl!!!
$26
Beryl Peachey
$26
Elly H
You're madder than I thought Adam, but I admire your heart
$26
Melissa Kena
$26
Vanessa Maroney
$26
Trish Baker
Well done, Deb! I'm very impressed with your achievement and pleased to donate to your wonderful cause.
$26
Julie Mcevoy
$25
Sarah Langford
Such a worthy and wonderful cause! Thankyou for all you do.
$25
Peter Dunkley
$20.80
Debbie
Fantastic cause- good luck with the challenge
$20.80
Dee Killorn
$20.80
Jody Ireland
Great cause good luck Deb
$20.80
Jo G
Awesome cause. Go Deb!
$20.80
Karen Peeke
I'll be thinking of you......take care.
$20.80
Michelle Coventon
Awesome, Deb! You are amazing and such a great cause. Good luck x
$20.80
Aoke Electrical Services Pty Ltd
Stay hydrated; snack regularly; listen to your body; enjoy this day
$20.80
Shalini Naidoo
$20.80
Anonymous
$20.80
Dan Babs
Well done to all involved, a noble cause!
$20.80
Julie Franklin
$20
Nik
Great cause. Good luck Lisa x
$20
Donna Simmonds
What a great cause! All the best Deb.
$17.68
Jenny Helmore
Awesome cause well done all! Good luck Deb
$15.60
Marnie Mccoy
$15.60
Woody's Studio
All the best to one of the challengers in Jodie Maree!
$10.40
Candice Stafford
$10.40
Sherri Freese
$10.40
Anonymous
$10.40
Chappy
You are doing a great thing Deb. Enjoy! Will be thinking of you tomorrow.
$10.40
Jen
Well done Deb and crew! Great cause!
