Organiser and program manager for Centacare's Homelessness Services, Chris Town said 105,000 people around Australia had nowhere to go at night.

"We don't know the full figures for Mount Isa, but there are about 90 homeless people camping in the riverbed, and others couch surfing and staying with friends and relatives, so the figures would be close to 200," Mr Town said.

With the dual economy, people who had been "pretty comfortable" were now finding their resources stretched.

"It could happen to me or you; if you lost your job you'd be in trouble after a couple of weeks."

Homeless people were citizens, not a "littering problem", Mr Town said.

"We need to respond to the problem of homelessness as a community rather than as political parties and factions."

Centacare ran seven crisis accommodation houses in Mount Isa, and Mr Town said the demand for housing far outstripped the supply in Mount Isa.

It was just a coincidence that National Homeless Persons Week was on at Rodeo time, he said.

"It is an advantage for us as far as exposure goes, and Rodeo Week does show the impact of the dual economy, with overcrowding during the week, lack of accommodation, and people getting stranded in Mount Isa after Rodeo Week."

Homelessness was not usually a choice, he said, especially for children.

"We have families living in tents - freezing in winter and 43 degrees in summer.

He urged people experiencing problems to come and see Centacare as early as possible.

"This can prevent homelessness, and that's one of our goals."

The Mayor of Mount Isa Tony McGrady said homelessness was an issue that governments, both state and federal, need to pay more attention to.

"Kevin Rudd highlighted the plight of the homeless when he was first Prime Minister and it needs to get back on the agenda," Cr McGrady said.

He said he had been talking to community groups involved with housing and the homeless and said the event at the Civic Centre was bringing the issue to people's attention.

"I welcome that."