Callout for Disaster Relief

Supporting Our Community in Crisis: Fletcher Street Cottage’s Response

When ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred struck, it left many in our community devastated, including those sleeping rough. Fletcher Street Cottage, as a frontline service for people experiencing homelessness, worked tirelessly to support those who lost essential belongings such as tents, sleeping bags, dry clothing, food supplies and other critical items for survival.

While many housed residents in Byron Shire could quickly access disaster relief grants, the community's most vulnerable were largely excluded from these recovery mechanisms. People without a fixed address were ineligible for Centrelink disaster payments, and many do not qualify for the NSW Reconstruction Authority’s Disaster Relief Grant. Although Fletcher Street Cottage has been assisting those few who are eligible, the process remains complex and slow, leaving many in limbo for far too long.

For people experiencing homelessness, events like these compound existing crises. The impact of the cyclone has disrupted fragile progress toward recovery, leaving many without the most basic necessities for survival - bedding, clothing, food and shelter. This situation is ongoing, and for many, the immediate disaster is far from over.

We’ve also seen an alarming increase in women, particularly those with children, coming to us from local campgrounds and caravan parks. Many of their tents were destroyed in the storm, and they have no means to replace them. Older women, in particular, represent the fastest-growing demographic facing homelessness in Australia, and the cyclone has exacerbated their already precarious situations. For these individuals, a warm meal and a dry tent are more than a luxury - they are lifelines that can mean the difference between survival and collapse.

Fletcher Street Cottage is a vital frontline service, currently averaging almost 1,000 visits per month from people experiencing or at risk of homelessness. According to the 2024 NSW Street Count, Byron Shire recorded 348 people sleeping rough, marking a 16% increase from the previous year. As the region continues to report the highest number of rough sleepers in NSW, many more remain in insecure housing (such as campgrounds or couchsurfing), going uncounted. For the people we serve, this storm was yet another crisis on top of an already difficult situation.

Our emergency relief funds have been significantly depleted, and we urgently need support to continue providing immediate relief and prepare for future crises.

Ingrained Foundation & NRCF

We would like to extend our sincere thanks to the Ingrained Foundation and the Northern Rivers Community Foundation (NRCF) for their generous quick-response grants in the wake of the cyclone. Their support has played a crucial role in helping us respond quickly and effectively to the needs of those most affected by this disaster.

How You Can Help:

1. Immediate Response:
   Donations will directly assist those still affected by disaster, including ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred, and the 2022 flood disaster. These funds will provide essentials like sleeping bags, dry clothing, food and hygiene items, enabling us to continue responding to immediate needs as they arise.
2. Preparedness:
   We will also use donations to replenish our financial aid reserves and stockpile crucial items such as sleeping bags. This will better equip us to respond to future disasters, ensuring we are prepared to support those who need it most.

Fletcher Street Cottage relies on the generosity of the community to continue providing vital services. Together, we can help ensure that our most vulnerable neighbours receive the support they need to survive and recover.

Donate today to support those in need and help us prepare for the future at www.fletcherstreetcottage.com.au.