GoodNight Tasmania is a community wide call to action to help save unsheltered homeless with the multi-award-winning Aussie invention Backpack Bed; a 3kg ergonomic backpack that rolls out into a portable three-window, four-season shelter with a built-in mattress.
Endorsed and used by 1,100-plus homeless agencies across Australia.
The GoodNight Tasmania campaign is a local community initiative in partnership with Tasmanian homeless agencies, Backpack Bed for Homeless, The Harcourts Foundation and corporate supporters.
GoodNightTasmania.org, launched during Homelessness Week – will offer a way for unsheltered Tasmanian homeless to receive immediate shelter, lifesaving protection against the elements, and dignity.
The campaign has gained the support of local groups including The Salvation Army, City Mission, St Vincent de Paul Society of Tasmania and others.
At events scheduled across three key locations in Tasmania on Wednesday, 27th August – these organisations will collect the Backpack Beds for their distribution.
“A single Backpack Bed will save the community $3319 in justice, health and employment costs. Tasmanians now have the opportunity to save their own local unsheltered homeless – while also saving valuable tax dollars” said Tony Clark, co-founder of Backpack Bed for Homeless.
To help save 231 unsheltered homeless people in Tasmania tonight, The Harcourts Foundation provided an initial donation of 150 Backpack Beds.
Tasmanian homeless agencies are now desperately calling for all Tasmanians to help surpass the campaign’s target of 231 beds.
This 231 figure is based on 2021 ABS data – and represents the recorded number of unsheltered homeless on any given night in Tasmania — but experts and local organisations believe the current need is far greater possible by 6 times.
CEO Harcourts Tasmania, Tony Morrison, saw the need and jumped to this urgent humanitarian call for action.
“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 ABS target and provide Backpack Beds to unsheltered people across Tasmania.”
The urgency of “GoodNight Tasmania” is underscored by TasCOSS data, which reveals over 5,097 applicants are currently on the social housing waitlist in Tasmania, with 601 individuals entirely without housing.
“The cost-of-living crisis in Tasmania has reached emergency levels, forcing an increasing number of people to sleep rough,” said Pauline Smith, Head of The Harcourts Foundation.
“Our partnership with The Harcourts Foundation is another step towards having an increasing impact on the gap that exists today between the volume of people in need compared with the volume of people who are able to be helped,” said Lisa Clark, co-founder of Backpack Bed for Homeless.
“The GoodNight Tasmania campaign not only aims to raise awareness but also provides an actionable way to directly improve the safety, health, and dignity of people without shelter tonight.” Adrian Knowles, CEO Harcourts Australia, reiterated the organisation’s commitment to supporting communities.
“We believe everyone deserves a safe place to sleep. This partnership with Backpack Bed for Homeless is a crucial step forward in addressing the immediate need for emergency shelter in Tasmania.”
The initial donation of $22,500 from The Harcourts Foundation covered the cost of 150 Backpack Beds, but the urgent continued support from caring Tasmanians and businesses is essential.
Through the campaign’s fundraising website GoodNightTasmania.org, contributors can donate tax deductible amounts as small as $15 or purchase a Backpack Bed for $150.
Tony Morrison added, “Whether you’re an individual or a business, every donation helps us get closer to providing relief to the growing number of people experiencing homelessness in Tasmania.”
Support the campaign today by visiting the Goodnight Tasmania fundraising website HERE.
