From 3 to 9 August, communities across Australia came together for Homelessness Week, raising awareness of the growing housing crisis and to call for secure housing for all.
Across the state, Anglicare WA services partnered with community organisations, local governments and sector partners to highlight the realities of housing insecurity, amplify lived-experience voices and promote pathways to housing and support.
This year's national theme, Homelessness Action Now, highlighted that solutions to homelessness exist and emphasised the need for governments, communities and organisations to act with urgency.
This year's national Homelessness Week theme, Homelessness Action Now, recognised that we already know what works. We need action at the scale and urgency the housing crisis demands. In Western Australia, Shelter WA's theme, Strong Workforce, Stronger Communities, recognised the vital contribution of frontline workers and support services supporting people experiencing homelessness and housing insecurity.
The week served as a reminder that homelessness is about far more than rough sleeping. It affects those experiencing housing stress, couch surfing, overcrowded living conditions and unsafe or temporary accommodation. Behind every statistic is a person seeking stability, dignity and the opportunity to build a better future. Homelessness Week is also a call to action. While support services play a critical role, ending homelessness requires long-term solutions, including greater investment in social and affordable housing, stronger support systems and policies that address the root causes of homelessness.
Anglicare WA School Sleep Out supports youth homelessness
This year more than 530 high school students from 20 schools across Perth participated in the 2026 Anglicare WA School Sleep Out held at the WACA Ground in East Perth.
The School Sleep Out is an opportunity for young people to engage with the realities of homelessness, hear from people working on the frontline, and consider the barriers that can lead to housing insecurity. The event included interactive workshops, lived-experience stories and group discussions. While one night sleeping outdoors can never replicate the experience of homelessness, it does provide a powerful opportunity for students to develop empathy, challenge stereotypes and better understand the complex issues affecting vulnerable people.
Through this event, students also raised vital funds for Anglicare WA's Street Connect service. Street Connect supports young people who are sleeping rough or experiencing housing instability by helping them access accommodation, practical support and pathways toward a safer future.
The School Sleep Out is a reminder that the path to ending homelessness requires community understanding, early intervention and addressing the systemic issues that place people at risk. We thank every student, teacher, volunteer and supporter who made this year's event possible. Together, they have helped raise awareness of youth homelessness while providing practical support for young people doing it tough.
Albany Homelessness Fundraiser 2026
Anglicare WA Albany housing services workers attended the Shelter Together Community Bank Albany Homelessness Fundraiser 2026 as part of Homelessness Week. Formerly known as the BIG Sleep Out, the annual event exists to raise awareness and vital funds for people impacted by homelessness across the Great Southern region.
Senior Housing Case Manager Tamara Owens and Housing Case Manager David Pink represented Team Anglicare at this year’s sleep out, spending a cold and wet night outdoors in solidarity with those who experience homelessness every day. Thanks to the generosity of colleagues, friends, family and the wider community, Team Anglicare raised an incredible $7,050, which was matched to bring the total contribution to $14,100. The team was also recognised as the event’s Fundraising Champions.
A heartfelt thank you to everyone who donated, encouraged, and supported Team Anglicare. Funds raised will go to the Albany Community Foundation’s (ACF) Homelessness Fund, a community-led organisation that champion civic initiatives and provide financial support to local people facing hardship or crisis.
Anglicare WA is a proud supporter of the ACF, and its Great Southern services have also benefited from the flexibility of the ACF’s Homelessness Fund, which helps fill gaps when support is unavailable through other programs or funding streams. This makes the fund an invaluable resource for both local services and the people they support.
No Place for Poverty on why housing security matters
“Your life is on hold.” That is how Len describes the two years he spent sleeping rough. His words are simple, but they capture the reality of homelessness and why housing is one of the foundations people need to build a good life.
For the No Place for Poverty movement, Homelessness Week draws attention to the connection between poverty and housing insecurity. When housing becomes unstable, it can affect every part of a person's life, including their health, employment, relationships, sense of belonging and ability to plan for the future. Preventing homelessness means addressing the conditions that can push people into poverty, and vice versa.
No Place for Poverty brought these issues to life through Voices for Change, a public exhibition featuring people with lived experience of poverty alongside community leaders and advocates.
Reflecting on one of the displays, No Place for Poverty Community Engagement Officer Tarsha Lucas said, "For many of us, a car is a way to get from place to place. For others, it becomes a bedroom, living room and refuge. This display was a powerful reminder that everyone deserves the dignity and security of a place to call home."
Len's story reminds us that a safe and secure home is about much more than a roof over your head. A home provides the stability people need to look after their wellbeing, maintain connections and rebuild their lives.
