Homelessness Week (August 7 – 13) is an annual week that aims to raise awareness of the impact of homelessness in Australia, and encourage people in the community to donate items to assist those who are experiencing homelessness and hardship.

Homelessness Week Activities

dignity

We know that many individuals and families throughout Victoria and beyond are doing it tough.

The definition of homelessness can be people staying with friends or family, or living in temporary accommodation such as rooming houses, motels and transitional housing.

Homelessness and hardship can be caused by many factors. These include financial stress, mortgage stress, a shortage of affordable housing, unemployment or job loss, getting evicted from home, family and relationship breakdown, family violence, physical and mental health issues, and drug and alcohol abuse.

At the last Census, 30,660 Victorians were without a home, including 6,800 children.

Wyndham City Council facilitated a number of events during Homelessness Week (7-13 August) events which included the documentary screening and panel discussion at Pt Cook CLC on 8th August, Dignity pack packing and morning tea with guest speakers at Manor Lakes CLC on 9th August and Dignity pack packing and dinner and guest speakers at Dianella on 10th August all in the effort to raise awareness of our local homelessness issues and how the community can support those experiencing hardship. 

We engaged with approx. 280+ community members across all of the events, H3 Alliance representatives were in attendance and spoke of local issues (Unison, Uniting and others), along with HAAG representatives, Council Community Connectors, Youth Services representatives and guest speakers who spoke of their lived experience with homelessness. Local performers One Voice, Wyndukes, rap artist Harrison Noble and singer HOPE all performed at the dinner. 

In the lead up to Homelessness Week 2023 the community donated personal care items and alike (toiletries, sanitary products, food, blankets, underwear, beanies, scarves, towels) to the Donation Drive, this created in over 300+ Dignity Packs which have been distributed to all Wyndham Community Centres for community members to access as short term emergency relief. 

The community came together to create the Dignity Packs at Manor Lakes CLC and Dianella CC at the events mentioned above. The surplus of donated items have been donated to Uniting Wyndham. 

This culminated in a successful week highlighting local homelessness issues and more broadly across Australia and the plight of many of our community members.

Thanks for your generous donations and support.  

Special thanks to the following local community groups, schools, organisations and businesses who donated to the Donation Drive:
Werribee Garden Club
The Grange P-12 College
Karwan Primary School
Life Community Kitchen
Pulse with Purpose
The Coffee Table
Wyndham Womens Support Group
Art Of Living
Hosana Kingdom Praise Centre
Essity Australasia 
Property & Asset Management - Australia
Coles Hoppers Crossing
Coles Tarneit West
Woolworths Hoppers Crossing
Woolworths Hogans Corner
The Mansion (Lancemore Group)
Coles - Riverdale
Coles - Tarneit Cental
Aldi Tarneit
Frasers Property Development
Ambulance Victoria

Donation Drive

In the lead up to Homelessness Week, Wyndham Council is coordinating a donation drive throughout June – August. Items to be donated include:

  • Personal care items and toiletries (toothbrush, moisturiser, soap, sanitary items, etc),
  • Blankets, new socks and underwear
  • Long life food, canned food, dry goods

Donations will be accepted from June-August at the following community centres:

  • Arndell Park Community Centre
  • Dianella Community Centre
  • Featherbrook Community Centre
  • Iramoo Community Centre
  • Jamieson way Community Centre
  • Manor Lakes Community Learning Centre
  • Penrose Promenade Community Centre
  • Point Cook Community Learning Centre
  • Quantin Binnah Community Centre
  • Saltwater Community Centre
  • Tarneit Community Learning Centre
  • The Grange Community Centre
  • Wunggurrwil Dhurrung Centre
  • Wyndham Community Education Centre
  • Wyndham Park Community Centre

Find out more about your local Community Centre visit Find Your Local Community Centre.

For more information about the donation drive or these free community events, contact Misty Palmer, Team Leader Dianella Community Centre, on 8742 8300 or email misty.palmer@wyndham.vic.gov.au

Origami Houses For Social Housing

The Victorian Homelessness Network (VHN) is raising awareness about the urgent need for more social and public housing. There are 57,000 households on the social housing waitlist today and the numbers are growing every week. At least 6,000 new properties need to be built per year. As part of the Houses At Parliament campaign, the VHN will display 6000 folded origami houses at Parliament House on 2nd August, for Homelessness Week, to highlight the urgent need for Governments to fix the housing crisis and end homelessness.

You can support this campaign by folding an origami house and sharing a photo using the hashtag #HousesAtParliament as well as any of the following: #HousingEndsHomelessness, #ItsTimeToEndHomelessness, #HW2023

Download instructions on how to fold an origami house

Where to get support

If you or someone you know is experiencing hardship or is at risk of homelessness, there are support services available to assist you. Find out more about these services and how to contact them on our Support Services information page.

Wyndham Council has a dedicated team who can help you find and connect with local service options. If you need support, but are unsure of where to start, email us at communityconnector@wyndham.vic.gov.au, complete the online enquiry form here, or call Wyndham Council on (03) 8734 4514 and ask to speak to the Community

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