A demographic study has revealed 1.6 per cent of the population, or 2303 people, are living on the streets; the highest proportion of Australia's 18 largest cities.
The next highest is Darwin, 1.1 per cent (1359), according to the State of Australian Cities 2013 report compiled by the Federal Department of Infrastructure and Transport.
Of the capital cities Sydney has the largest number with 20,238 people (0.4 per cent) followed by Melbourne 18,656 (0.5 per cent) and Brisbane 7299 (0.35 per cent).
But the head of the Cairns Homelessness Planning Leadership Group, Professor Hurriyet Babacan, told The Cairns Post she believed the figure was even higher, probably close to 3000, and the problem was getting worse.
Cairns Regional Council Mayor Bob Manning said it was a figure not to be proud of, calling for more government funding for solutions.
Meanwhile Cairns MP Gavin King is organising a summit on the issue next month.
Prof Babacan said the statistic neither included the "hidden homeless", those who lived in overcrowded homes and "couch surfers", nor took into account the numbers in areas such as the Douglas shire and Tableland areas.
She said the group's success since its establishment more than a year ago had taken a setback, with the loss of a senior manager looking after homeless issues within the Department of Communities due to funding cutbacks.
She said government services for the homeless were fragmented and the group had been trying to co-ordinate the delivery of programs.
Prof Babacan said a 39-point action plan was on hold because of the lack of government resources.
She said the number was inflated by people who came to Cairns from Cape York communities for health and other matters and did not return home.
Mr King said the figure was of "no surprise", but disputed a new estimate of 3000.
"It's an insidious problem that has been allowed to get worse over many years," he said.
Mr King said millions of dollars had been spent on homelessness, yet the numbers continued to increase.
He said he was hosting a summit next month at which all agencies in the sector would meet Housing Minister Tim Mander, offer advice and suggestions for a proposed halfway house.
Mr King said the halfway house was intended to provide accommodation, including camping, and would not be a drop-in centre.
"We'll be looking at taking the rough sleepers, those in the active public view," he said.
Cr Manning said the number of homeless was alarming, being half of that in much larger cities such as Perth and Adelaide and a third of those in Brisbane.
"It's totally out of whack to our population," he said.
"It's not a picture any government would be proud of."
Cr Manning said the council had a small part to pay while state and federal governments needed to "take a hard look at the problem".
http://www.cairns.com.au/article/2013/08/01/246040_local-news.html
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