The biggest barrier to ending homelessness isn’t that we don’t know the solution, but that we keep waiting to act.
Every night, thousands of Australians face the uncertainty of knowing where they’ll sleep. For some – it’s a car, for others – a friend’s couch or temporary accommodation, or no shelter at all. Behind these ‘thousands’ of Australians is a person, a story.
The national theme for Homelessness Week 2026 (3-9 August) is Homelessness Action Now. A call to move beyond awareness, to start conversations and take action.
We know the challenges. Housing is becoming increasingly unaffordable, demand for homelessness services continues to outgrow available support, more people are being pushed into housing insecurity, the list goes on.
The question is: what are we going to do about it now?
This message has never felt more relevant. Throughout our 150-day A Home for Every Neighbour campaign for housing and homelessness, we’ve listened from people with lived experiences, we’ve learnt from experts in the housing sector, community organisations and advocates. Through these relationships, we’ve explored current policies driving Australia’s housing crisis and developed practical solutions.
Now we’re taking the next step. We’re taking action now.
Students from schools in the Josephite tradition and advocates across Sydney are travelling to Canberra to meet with Members of Parliament to ask for three things:
- To deliver more affordable public housing
- Advocate and commit to long-term, multi-year funding to build more affordable homes.
- Strengthen homelessness prevention – particularly for families and women over 55 at the risk of homelessness
- Advocate and commit to an increase in funding for prevention support, particularly for families and women over 55.
- Build on the tax reform
- Advocate and support further tax reforms that encourage investment in affordable housing.
- Advocate to strengthen partnerships between the Government and the community housing sector.
As we take this step, we remind ourselves that action doesn’t solely belong to politicians. It belongs to every person willing to have the conversation, challenge the stereotypes and speak up for the common good of our communities.
Homelessness Action Now is more than a theme. It’s a reminder that awareness without action, changes nothing. So this Homelessness Week, we’re choosing action. We’re choosing to advocate, to challenge and to push for the policies Australia needs.
Every conversation matters. Every voice matters. Every person deserves a safe place to call home.
What are you doing to take Homelessness Action Now? Please share your commitments by clicking Contact Us and select ‘Josephite Justice and Youth’ in the Enquiry Type option.
You’re invited to attend the Closing Ceremony of the A Home for Every Neighbour campaign on 27 August 2026. Find out more and register here.
Violet Cabral
Community Engagement Officer, Josephite Justice Network
