Winter Warmer: Songs for Shelter
Fletcher Street Cottage Team
Homelessness Accelerating Faster Than Anywhere in NSW & the Northern Rivers is in Crisis
The Northern Rivers region including Byron Bay and Tweed Shire is at breaking point. Homelessness is escalating faster here than anywhere else in NSW. Local services are overwhelmed as housing becomes a luxury and flood impacts linger.
Essential services report unprecedented demand from people who have never needed help before from single parents, working families, flood victims, and elderly residents.
Community calls for urgent action as affordable housing evaporates, and services reach breaking point:
47% of Tweed renters are in rental stress
500+ homes lost in the 2022 floods
85%+ of locals can’t afford a two-bedroom rental
34.3% of households are in the lowest income bracket
34% of the population is aged over 60
Frontline Services Sound the Alarm
Fletcher Street Cottage (Byron Bay): Over 30,000 visits since 2022. Offering meals, showers, laundry and wraparound support.
Fred’s Place (Tweed Heads): Assisting displaced people from QLD and DV survivors.
PBNC (Pottsville): Seeing a surge in homelessness among single mothers and elderly residents.
Murwillumbah Community Centre: worked with over 3000 people last year providing support, care, food, homeless supplies and links to specialist services.
“This isn’t just a housing issue - it’s a community emergency. We’re seeing older residents, single mums and full-time workers sleeping in cars. Emergency accommodation is full. Services are stretched beyond capacity.” Letechia Lucas - Pottsville Beach Neighbourhood Centre
“There are so few affordable homes, little public housing and the shelters and hotels are full. Murwillumbah is in a housing crisis that has been decades in the making, and we need help to provide the basics. Working families, older people and those who have hit hard times rely on us for food and support to get through each day.” Fiona Hunt – Murwillumbah Community Centre
Donate to support someone facing homelessness, and nominate a song that makes you feel warm, safe or loved. Each donation adds a track to the Spotify playlist - building a soundtrack of hope.
$25 = Hot meals. Fuel for the body. Warmth for the soul.
$50 = Clothing and blankets. New clothes and blankets changes everything.
$100 = Warm Sleeps. A sleeping bag or tent brings comfort and survival.
$200 = Shelter, food and clothing for a family. Wrap a family in warmth, dignity and hope.
DONATE to add YOUR SONGS FOR SHELTER
https://dharmacare.org.au/songs-for-shelter-winter-warmer/
https://www.givenow.com.au/songsforshelter
Songs for Shelter – Winter Warmer Playlist
https://bit.ly/Songs_For_Shelter