Backpack Bed With Storage (for homeless people)
Backpack Bed is a great idea from Australia, to help homeless people. It’s backpack with storage. But at night, rolls out into a comfortable bed, for people who are sleeping rough. It’s already in use by over 1000 shelters across Australia, with great success.
Why Backpad Bed is good for rough sleepers
- It’s lightweight (2.9kg). That’s around the weight of a house brick.
- It offers four-season protection.
- The fabric and mattress are fire-retardant
- It’s water and windproof.
- Adjustable hip, shoulder and chest straps
- 135 litre storage for bedding & belongings
- 4 storage pockets (to store up to 20kg)
- A body mosquito net (to stop insect bites)
According to 180 Degrees Consulting, each Backpack Bed distributed to a homeless person without shelter, savings over $3000 Aussie dollars (around £1,500) to the community, due to reduce costs for health.
How do people use Backpack Bed?
- Backpack Bed looks like a rucksack. But at night, converts to a bed. So homeless people can carry it around with dignity, without dragging around blankets, that get heavy after rain. And are unhygenic.
- It keeps belongings safe, when someone is sleeping. It’s easy to set up. Just roll it out and get in, for a good night’s sleep.
- The emergency foil blanket is made from space technology, and great to prevent hypothermia. Body warmth is trapped and reflected back towards the body, to protect from extreme weather.
- And during the day, it easily converts into a shelter. Just undo the zip and use the built-in ropes to shelter from the wind or sun. And the design means water drains off, to avoid mildew.
How to help homeless people on the street
If you see someone sleeping rough, send a report to StreetLink, whose outreach teams visit rough sleepers at night. To help homeless people find benefits and accommodation (if the person is under 18, call 999).
How homeless people can help themselves
Homeless people can claim benefits, giving the address of a family member/friend, hostel or job centre. This helps to pay for food (and pet food), interview clothes and rent deposits.
People without bank accounts can use the government’s Payment Exception Service to collect benefits from a local post office or PayPoint outlet.
How to help homeless people with dogs
One great way to help is to have local shops use BillyChip, a token that can be given to homeless people, to pay for hot drinks or pets food. This complies with council advice not to give money, and helps also to prevent robbery.
Sign the Big Issue’s Campaign to end the practice of local councils refusing pets in emergency or temporary accommodation, as homeless people then remain on the streets, as they won’t part with their animal companions.
Read more on how to help dogs with homeless people.
