Portable toilets and shower facilities, along with bins and waste disposal units will be installed at locations across Launceston to provide support for those sleeping rough.
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The City of Launceston council has announced the suite of measures, designed to assist the city's homeless community after a number of people attended the most recent council meeting to share with elected members the realities of living homeless.
Launceston mayor Albert van Zetten said the council would also transition its existing homeless response committee and make it a formal council committee to examine long-term initiatives and solutions to assist those who find themselves on the streets.
"The City of Launceston is committed to playing a constructive role in the provision of short, medium and long-term solutions for the homeless community, in collaboration with other tiers of government and key stakeholders," Mayor van Zetten said.
"In coming days the council will also meet with the state government to learn how the council and the government can collaborate to take action on this critical issue ahead of winter."
Homeless woman Allison addressed the council at its April 22 meeting, where she spoke about her fears about dying on the street.
"I've lost four friends in the last six years living this way," she said.
"They've died around me on the streets. I feel my time is next. Six years I have lived like this, domestic violence brought me here. I had the same home for 20 years - my time is running out."
Cr van Zetten said he was hopeful the state government would take some further steps in Launceston, as it has done in Hobart, to provide additional crisis beds and consider a dedicated crisis accommodation facility in Northern Tasmania.
The council has sourced a range of temporary infrastructure for use, and some council-managed public toilets in some areas will remain open overnight.
"Our immediate goal is to provide basic amenities to those who are sleeping rough, and to work with service providers to assist people to find permanent accommodation options," Cr van Zetten said.
Launceston Deputy Mayor Danny Gibson said homelessness was a multidimensional challenge and all tiers of government had a role to play.
"I'm pleased the City of Launceston has been able to act quickly in response to the concerns of service providers and the homeless community to implement some short-term solutions," Cr Gibson said.
"The equipment we will begin rolling out next week will provide a level of dignity to people sleeping rough as the City of Launceston continues to progress this issue with other tiers of government and key stakeholders.
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