Homelessness Week is a national event held from Monday 3 August to Sunday 9 August 2026.

Homelessness Week aims to build public understanding and encourage governments, organisations and individuals to take action. It is also an opportunity to challenge stereotypes, understand the causes of homelessness and recognise the difference that safe, secure housing can make.

Loreto Community Housing’s Homelessness Week campaign

Find the videos HERE.

As a community housing provider, Loreto Community Housing plays an important role in providing safe and affordable homes and supporting people to maintain their housing.

This year, we have partnered with local photographer Jackson Sommerville (Jacko Takes Photos) to share the impact that having a home can have on individuals, families and communities.

Through this campaign, we want to build understanding of homelessness and housing stress in Tasmania and highlight what can be done to address it.

We believe the best way to do this is by listening to people in our community, including our tenants, people who have experienced homelessness, and those working to improve housing outcomes across Tasmania.

We are incredibly grateful to everyone who has shared their story as part of this campaign.

What is homelessness?

Homelessness can be sleeping rough on the street, spending nights in your car, sleeping on a friend’s couch, or staying somewhere that is not safe.

There are many reasons why someone might experience homelessness. These include:

• Having nowhere safe or suitable to stay
• Financial hardship
• Experiencing family violence
• Other family or relationship issues
• Challenges with physical or mental health
• Living in bad conditions such as overcrowded or unsafe housing

It can be tough to stay housed, even if you’re doing your best.

In 2022, 3 million Australians were at risk of homelessness, where one setback like job loss or illness could mean losing their home (up 63% since 2016).

Homelessness in Tasmania

1 in 91 people in Tasmania have received homelessness assistance.

On any given day…

• 2,000 people were being supported by specialist homelessness services
• 400 people spent the night in crisis accommodation
• 31 requests for assistance were unable to be met

Learn more HERE.

Homelessness in Australia

• More than 129,000 requests for assistance could not be met because services did not have enough capacity.
• Almost 289,000 people received support from specialist homelessness services in 2024–25.
• Family and domestic violence remains the leading cause of homelessness, affecting around 40% of people accessing homelessness services.
• More than one in four people receiving homelessness support are children.
• Only 0.7% of rental properties are affordable for a person earning the full-time minimum wage. For people receiving JobSeeker or Youth Allowance, affordable rentals are almost impossible to find.
• Australia has a shortfall of more than 600,000 affordable rental homes.

Learn more HERE.

What is needed to alleviate Homelessness?

• Building more social and affordable housing would ease pressure in the rental market and give people a real chance at stability. Currently, social housing comprises about 4% of total housing stock. The National Housing Supply and Affordability Council is calling for targets of 10% of housing stock to be social and affordable housing.
• Lifting income support ensures people can afford rent and cover basic living costs
• Early intervention prevents homelessness by supporting people to keep their homes, escape violence, or connect with help in time.
• Access to the support that people need Too many people return to homelessness because their needs aren’t met after being housed. With the right help, people can stay housed and rebuild their lives

What can I do to help?

• Challenge the stereotypes
  People from all walks of life access community housing. We encourage you to have healthy discussions around homelessness and think about how you would like to be treated if you were experiencing housing stress.
• Support
  Learn more about housing or homelessness services in your area, do some research into how you can assist and support them. Look into donating much needed items, donating financially, or donating your time.
• Advocate
  Encourage and support local governments and initiatives that build more housing and provide services for those experiencing homelessness and housing stress.

Are you a property owner who would like to improve the lives of Tasmanians in need of a home? Click HERE to learn more about Homes Tasmania’s affordable private rental programs, managed by Loreto Community Housing.

What do I do if I am, or someone I know is, experiencing homelessness or housing stress?

Contact Housing Connect on 1800 800 588, 24 hours a day 7 days a week, or visit one of the five front door offices on weekdays between 9am and 5pm.

Housing Connect can help you with:

• • Finding a bed in a shelter if you need crisis accommodation
  • Applying for social housing with one of Tasmania’s social housing providers
  • Finding an affordable private rental home
  • Applying for financial assistance, such as help with a bond or rent arrears, to help you keep your private rental
  • Finding housing if you have been affected by family violence
  • Advice and referrals to other services that can help you
  • Support to plan for your housing and other goals in your life.

If you are escaping family violence, call Tasmania Police on 000 if its an emergency, or call the Family Violence Response and Referral Line on 1800 633 937.

Learn more about applying for social and affordable housing HERE.