DESPITE Ipswich’s endless sea of new housing estates, thousands of people are still forced to sleep in cars, on couches, or out in the cold, with the city’s pool of affordable housing non-existent.

Some are mothers. Others are pensioners. Many still work – but few see a way out.

Homelessness provider inCommunity helped more than 3,000 people find shelter in Ipswich last year.

But with demand surging, grassroots group Goodna Street Life is now taking matters into its own hands, launching a crowdfunding campaign to build a 100-bed shelter.

With just $10,000 raised so far and no government backing, their message is simple: get on board – or get out of the way.

Despite millions in public spending on homelessness programs, Goodna Street Life said the gap between the haves and have-nots continues to widen.

“There’s land. There’s money. But no will,” Goodna Street Life’s Steve Purcell said.

He said Queensland had outsourced the homelessness crisis to the community, while shutting out the funding needed to fix it.

“We’ve applied for grants, identified land, and met with government – but we’ve been turned away at every step,” he said.

“The system is designed to push the care of vulnerable people into unfunded services. Homelessness in Queensland has been privatised for decades.

“Government-run services are extremely limited – and what is available is near impossible to access.

“Community-driven initiatives are too often excluded. That’s why we’ve stopped waiting. We’re building what our community needs.”

The proposed shelter would be a permanent, trauma-informed facility – not “just another overnight hostel”.

“It will offer mental health support, legal and financial advice, cultural safety for First Nations and migrant communities, and a place to unwind – all designed by those with lived experience,” Mr Purcell said.

“It will prioritise dignity and healing. A shelter isn’t just a bed. It’s a turning point.”

He said red tape, stigma, and system failure were the root causes of the inadequate response to homelessness.

“When you say ‘homeless shelter’, people hear ‘problem’,” he said.

Planning approvals are also a major barrier, with government funding typically funnelled to large NGOs, while smaller, more responsive groups are locked out.

“If you don’t tick the right box, you don’t even get in the room,” he said.

He warned that the cost of inaction would mean even more people on the streets, driving up pressure on hospitals, police, and crisis services.

“Prevention is cheaper. And it’s the right thing to do,” Mr Purcell said.

One of the fastest-growing groups facing homelessness in Ipswich is mature women, many fleeing violence or trying to survive on fixed incomes.

“The pension or income support available simply doesn’t match current rental prices,” he said.

“A single, older woman on a fixed income has no viable rental options in Ipswich right now – and no social housing available.

“And now people are also losing homes for earning too much. That’s not support – it’s sabotage.”

The shelter’s design will be community-led and open-sourced, to ensure it can be replicated across Queensland.

So far, the charity had received offers of labour, materials, and land. Ipswich Mayor Teresa Harding has offered “in principle” support – but no land, no funding, and no clear commitment.

Meanwhile, Mr Purcell said developers continue to reap the profits of growth while contributing little to social housing infrastructure.

“With thousands of new homes being built, it’s only fair that developers should invest in the communities from which they profit,” he said.

“We want inclusionary zoning built into the council plan. All councils need to stop pretending they can ignore social issues and keep saying it’s the state’s responsibility.

“Council is the gatekeeper of development and planning in our community. They need to ensure developers are contributing to the cost of social infrastructure.

“Council should have land earmarked for shelters, domestic violence housing, youth services and evacuation centres – paid for through developer contributions.

“They aren’t powerless.

“They approve every DA. They could demand social infrastructure – but they don’t.”

With millions being spent on sport and infrastructure, The Tribune asked why it is the public being asked to crowdfund a basic shelter.

“Because the alternative is letting people die,” Mr Purcell replied.

Want to help? Donate, volunteer, or share this story: https://goodnastreetlife.org.au/