The Invisible of the Valley

If you are at immediate risk or currently experiencing homelessness, please contact 1800 474 753. The Homeless Hotline provides information and referrals for people experiencing or at risk of homelessness. Additional resources are listed at the bottom of the article.

FORTITUDE VALLEY - Crowds of people filter through the exit of Fortitude Valley's train station. They pass by a variety of shops and out into Brunswick Street. The Valley as it is commonly called, is regarded as one of Australia’s first entertainment districts. On a Friday or Saturday night, the station is crowded with numerous people travelling to experience Brisbane’s entertainment district.

On a Wednesday afternoon however Louie waves at people passing by, he asks them how their days are and asks for some spare change. It is 2:00PM in the Valley, a man dances up and down Brunswick Street playing loud Australian rap as Louie sits in front of a nearby 7/11. Having immigrated from Algeria, Louie has been homeless for most of his time in Australia. He has also lived in Cairns and now prefers his spot in front of the train station due to its close location to different services. During the night he stays at a private housing center located in Fortitude Valley, this housing is subsidized by the government.

In 2018 the Australian Bureau of Statistics conducted a census to estimate homelessness in the country. The census used data from a prior 2016 census and estimated a population of 342 people affected by homelessness in Fortitude Valley.

This was found to be higher than many of Brisbane’s other suburbs. In 2016, The Valley’s estimated population was 6,798 people. At this time for every 1133 people there were 57 affected by homelessness.

Today the population sits at 9,512 with the estimated homeless population likely to be higher. From observation, 13 homeless people were found along Brunswick Street on a Wednesday afternoon showing a high population within the center of Fortitude Valley.

Louie waves hello to multiple people that walk past. Another benefit of being close to the station is safety, he only rests at his spot during the day. “The Valley can become a very dangerous place with a lot of bad people,” he says.

As it is a Wednesday, Louie will grab dinner from a nearby relief hub in the valley.

Wesley Mission Queensland can be located along St Paul’s Terrace. The relief hub provides multiple services such as a drop-in service for food and medical script subsidies, individual counselling and support, and a community meal which Louie joined that evening.

“I’m alright for food, I get my food at Wesley mission, I get free dinner tonight,” Louie enthusiastically says.

There are additional daytime services located close to Fortitude Valley’s train station. Located further down the road at 505 Brunswick Street is the drop-in support center 3^rd Space.

Jordan Alcock is a 27-year-old volunteer at 3^rd space. He currently assists in reception as well as being an assistant to volunteer manager Carolina Francia. The center is open 7 days a week from 8:30AM - 4:00PM. There are day beds available to sleep in until 3:00PM and free toiletries that are available for people wanting to shower. “We have a café that does free soup and porridge every day of the week” Jordan explains. The center also has food parcels available for people able to take and cook food.

Since 2021, the amount of people using the service has increased. Jordan mentions a majority of the people coming in are individuals throughout the day. Families with children are less common however they are seen by a dedicated support worker. In response to some of the clients using the service Jordan says, “I’m noticing issues with cost of living, people are working two jobs and they still can’t afford… to feed their family”.

Most people utilizing the services are from the surrounding areas.

He explains, “a lot of people will sleep on the streets around The Valley and come here during the day”.

3^rd Space utilizes a catchment list with the service referring people to alternative services such as The Red Cross if they fall outside the list.

The center currently assists approximately 80-100 people a day with their primary age group being those aged 26-45 years old. In 2021, the center provided nearly 35,000 meals. “It’s nice to see people come here and they’ll get their life together and get a job and get housing and you’ll see their life pick up a bit and you’ll see 3^rd Space support them through that period," he says.

A teenager walks by with a cigarette in his mouth, he digs through his pocket and releases a sigh. Louie waves him down and offers him his only lighter and tells him to take care. The teen walks away and pockets the lighter.

Not long after, a pair of tourists approach and ask for directions to the Chinatown Mall. Louie points and tells them to take a right at the stop lights. He asks them where they’re from and after learning they're German says “Ahh guten tag!”. The pair excitedly reply to the greeting and then wish Louie a thank you before following his directions.

Currently the QLD government has responded to the issue of homelessness and people in unsuitable accomodation. A statement from a Department of Communities, Housing and Digital Economy (CHDE) spokesperson said that

"The Queensland Government is helping Queenslanders into homes."

They are also investing $2.9 billion into social and affordable housing, and assisting people in securing private rentals and head leasing homes.

The CHDE also have an action plan that aims to address the issues of housing supply and affordability. The Queensland Governments Homeless Action Plan covers a variety of strategies and implementations to be rolled out between 2021-2025.

Highlights from this plan include more social housing, law reforms to better protect renters, and developing further coordination between government agencies.

More and more people begin to filter through the station. Louie smiles as he continues to wave down more people, he even recognizes some through the crowd of exiting commuters. “I’m getting older, I just want a nice bed to sleep in and a roof over head” he says looking off at the station’s entrance.

“I’m getting older, I just want a nice bed to sleep in and a roof over head”.