As a volunteer on Vinnies Night Patrol every month, I see the hidden human face of homelessness in the ACT.
On census night 2021 there were over 122 000 people experiencing homelessness across Australia. 23% were children and young people aged between 12 and 24 and 20% were First Nations People. Much more needs to be done to find real solutions to end homelessness in Australia which is why I'm joining the "Women Building Change Team" in the Vinnies Sleepout this year.
This is also my 13th year volunteering for Vinnies Night Patrol and the only time I saw significant change to homelessness in the ACT was during COVID19 when everyone was housed, and there was an increase to income support. If we can house the homeless during a pandemic, why can't we house the homeless all of the time?
The latest data shows the number of homeless persons in the ACT increased from 1596 to 1777 in 2023. The ACT rate of homelessness improved from 49 per 10 000 in 2011 (second highest nationally) to 39 per 10 000 in 2021 (second lowest Nationally). The number of homeless persons across Australia increased by 5.2% from 2016 to 2021.
I need your support to help me reach my reach my target of $4000?
So far this year I helped provide
2
Individual support programs
7
Beds
28
Meals
Go Jacqui 💪🏻