It’s time to end homelessness in Australia and The Salvation Army believes that when we work together, we can achieve this. The Salvation Army is one of the largest providers of homelessness services across the country, providing welcoming, quality services to youth, adults, and families. However, we cannot end homelessness on our own.

This Homelessness Week (5-11 August), we are calling on the Australian community to partner with us to end homelessness and ensure nobody struggles alone.

Everybody deserves a safe, secure home: this is a basic human right. But the cost-of-living crisis, affordable housing shortages, and ongoing rent and mortgage stress, means that more people – from all walks of life – are struggling to find, or are at risk of losing, that safe home.

Homelessness Week is an annual campaign coordinated by Homelessness Australia. It aims to drive awareness about homelessness, who it affects and what solutions are needed to end homelessness for Australia.

The Salvation Army takes a wraparound approach to supporting people experiencing homelessness. This means first ensuring people receive a safe place to sleep and a basic meal, and secondly helping people meet their needs and goals through our broad range of services.

We also want to address the bigger picture of homelessness in Australia and regularly speak to policy makers about creating more access to safe, secure and affordable housing.

We know there is a shortage of affordable housing because we recently surveyed people who sought assistance from a Salvation Army Emergency Relief centre at some point over the past 12 months. Three-quarters (75 per cent) of the respondents said they were experiencing housing stress, which means they are spending more than 30 per cent of their disposable income on housing (Source: The Red Shield Report 2023: At breaking point. The Salvation Army Australia, Policy, Research and Social Justice Department).

The Salvation Army is working with the government, other homelessness services and the community to end homelessness for Australia. You can help us.
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When people are unable to find housing that suits their budget and meets their needs, the rent rises beyond their income, or mortgage repayments grow every month, homelessness becomes a dark reality. The risk of homelessness also increases for families affected by a crisis or a breakdown. This may include family violence, an illness, injury or death, a job loss, a natural disaster or a separation.

Part of our message for Homelessness Week 2023 is to raise awareness of the fact that nobody should struggle alone. There is no shame in reaching out for help if your living situation is becoming too challenging to handle on your own. Early action can prevent homelessness. The Salvos have wraparound services including help with putting meals on the table or paying bills, financial counselling, tenant advocacy, and emotional, wellbeing and spiritual support.

Together, we can help end homelessness for you – and help you find lasting hope just like Danni in the video.