It is a figure – from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare’s latest data – that is increasing, say state services.

And they’re not coping.

The data revealed that 21 requests for help are turned away daily in Tasmania.

That is 21 people who are unable to be helped, when it comes to shelter needs.

The services that the state has are doing their best, there is no doubt about that.

Simply, the demand is far greater than their capacities.

By and large, most people picture homelessness at its most visible: sleeping under bridges, cardboard boxes, on park benches.

This is not the majority of homeless Tasmanians.

According to data from Shelter Tasmania, only 10 per cent of the state’s homeless population fit this category.

To use a cliche, they are the tip of the iceberg.

The hidden homeless comprise the majority of the population.

People who are transient, sleeping from couch to couch, or utilising emergency accommodation or shelters; who live in beat-up caravans or draughty lean-tos.

It is not a life that they deserve.

So what can be done to turn these figures around?

In the big picture, the state government’s 10-year Affordable Housing Strategy details a plan to construct more than 900 new homes that will help to ease housing stress experienced by homeless and at-risk Tasmanians.

Through other strategies and initiatives, it aims to, by 2025, create housing for 1600 Tasmanian households.

Like any other form of social change, it takes time.

In the interim, we as Tasmanians can also help.

Charities do not work for a profit, but they still need money to provide those much-needed services.

Any extra money that we can spare will make a difference. As will food donations.

We can further donate our time to these services. Launceston has plenty –  including City Mission, The Salvation Army, St Vincent de Paul, The Benevolent Society, and Red Cross.

It takes time to create change.

But it also takes people.