Homelessness Week 2024 - End homelessness for good

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Homelessness Week 2024

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.

Australia’s homelessness crisis

Homelessness increased by 5.2 per cent from 2016 to 2021. On Census night 2021, more than 122,400 people were estimated to be experiencing homelessness. (2021, ABS Census)

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.
Learn more

Homelessness Week

Australian homelessness statistics

One of the first steps towards ending homelessness is increasing awareness about the homelessness crisis in Australia and who is affected.

Get the facts

Ending homelessness together

We believe it is possible to end homelessness, and, when we all work together, we can.

Learn more

Unaffordable housing is a growing cause of homelessness

Australia is experiencing a housing crisis that is contributing to more people being put at risk of losing their homes and experiencing homelessness.

Read more

How much do you know about homelessness?

The facts and figures around homelessness in Australia may surprise you. Get to know more homelessness facts and give our quick quiz a go.

Try quiz

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.

How you can help people experiencing homelessness

Get involved with volunteering
You can make a positive difference in the lives of vulnerable Australians. Visit our volunteer information page and get in touch.
Contact your local member
Want to write to your local MP about homelessness, but don’t know where to start? Read our advocacy team’s helpful tips.
Donate to the Salvos’ homelessness services
You can help ensure nobody struggles alone. Donate today to help people experiencing homelessness.

Stories

Housing service offers community connection and care – Annie’s story

4 July 2023Read more

 

Hope in homelessness complex care

3 July 2023Read more

 

The healing power of a home to call your own – Kerrie’s story

30 June 2023Read more

 

Unique NT homeless prevention program encourages positive lifestyle

29 June 2023Read more

 

Overcoming a lifetime of homelessness and pain – Sean’s story

26 June 2023Read more

 

Making young people a priority – why we need a dedicated National Youth Housing and Homelessness Plan  

26 June 2023Read more

 

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The Salvation Army Australia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the land on which we meet and work and pay our respect to Elders past, present and future.

We value and include people of all cultures, languages, abilities, sexual orientations, gender identities, gender expressions and intersex status. We are committed to providing programs that are fully inclusive. We are committed to the safety and wellbeing of people of all ages, particularly children.

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The Salvation Army is an international movement. Our mission is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs in his name with love and without discrimination.

uat.salvos.org.au

13 SALVOS (13 72 58)

Gifts of $2 or more to the social work of The Salvation Army in Australia are tax deductible.Details and ABNs

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