Homelessness in Douglas: it's much more than not having a roof over your head

Abstract

[Extract] The Douglas Community Housing Group (DCHG) was formed in mid-2011 after a number of staff from the community services sector and the general community raised concern over the levels of overcrowded homes, homeless people and lack of services funded to work with these members of the community in Douglas. The area serviced by member organisations of the DCHG comprises the former Douglas Shire, and includes Mossman and the Gorge, Port Douglas, the Daintree and surrounding areas. The DCHG works toward addressing homelessness in all its forms; primary (rough sleeping), secondary (temporary and overcrowding) and tertiary (transience with no certainty of tenure). Our membership comprises a number of different service delivery agencies, as well as QCOSS and various Queensland Government departments.