Strike It Out fundraises for emergency housing in Launceston

The organisation provides food assistance, clothing and sleeping items for those in the North finding themselves in need - with demand continuing to grow.

"There's a lot more people on the street or sleeping rough in their cars or couch surfing, due to the cost of living going up as well as COVID and people's changing work," Ms Ritchie said.

"We have been fairly lucky here in Tasmania compared to the mainland, but there's people that have been affected. The employment market is a lot of casual work, not giving people that security."

Ms Ritchie said she had seen an increase in people seeking emergency accommodation.

"There's nothing available," she said.

"The shelters are full.

"When we give out a swag, a sleeping bag and a blanket it's just heartbreaking when you have to do that, and I'm kind of sick of giving them out."

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Ms Ritchie has come up with an alternative plan - purchasing shipping containers with plans to convert them into temporary housing facilities.

"If we could say here's a sleep pod for the night, that's going to be so much better knowing they have a warm dry place to sleep," she said.

"Even when you're in a swag it gets all wet ... there's lots of people that can't get their bedding dry.

"We have a duty of care towards these people."

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With a fundraising drive underway, Strike It Out aims to raise $150,000 for the conversion of the shipping containers.

"We're halfway towards our fundraising goal," Ms Ritchie said.

"The money that we're raising is the cost of lining and fitting out the two 40-foot containers, including windows, ventilation, doors, flooring, lighting and electrical, with a kitchenette, portable toilet and shower ... so we can utilise those as beds for people.

"In a swag and a sleeping bag you don't sleep, you're on edge the whole time.

"Having that safe space, their own space that's safe and secure gives them peace of mind so they can go to sleep and catch up on the sleep they've missed out on."

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Volunteer Andrew Cassidy has been with the organisation for a number of years, and agreed that there has been an increase in support needed.

"It's just good to be able to help people out, give them a meal, just give back to the community, have little chats and you go away with a smile on your face," he said.

The sleep pod project aims to create another 10 more emergency beds.

For more information or to donate, visit the Strike It Out website.

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