NSW Community Sleepouts Shine a Light on Homelessness

Regional community sleepouts raise much-needed funds for local homelessness services.

Throughout August, community members across regional NSW participated in the 2022 Vinnies Community Sleepout to raise much needed awareness and funds for Vinnies services and programs.

Over 370 participants braved the cold and raised over $274,500 in Albury, Armidale, Central Coast, Deniliquin, Dubbo, Hunter, Orange, Southern Highlands, Tamworth, Tenterfield, Tweed Heads, Wagga Wagga and Western Sydney.

In addition to sleeping out, participants were informed about specific homelessness statistics along with gaining a better understanding of the changing face of homelessness in NSW.

Since its inception five years ago, the NSW Vinnies Community Sleepout has raised over $800,000 to fund services and programs operated by the Society across the state.

Some of the services to benefit from the funds raised include Edel Quinn, a crisis accommodation and case management service in Wagga Wagga; Fred’s Place, a homelessness support service in Tweed Heads and Freeman House, a homelessness and addiction service in Armidale. Proceeds from the sleepouts will also enable local Conferences, Care and Support Centres and Community Hubs to continue assisting people facing hardship and disadvantage with household bills, food, clothing, and other support.

“The funds raised from the NSW Vinnies Community Sleepout will make a tangible difference to families facing difficult decisions such as having to choose between having enough food to eat every day or being able to have a full tank of petrol at the bowser,” said Paul Burton, St Vincent de Paul Society NSW State President.

Figures released for the past financial year reveal more than 34,000 people sought financial crisis assistance from Society Members with 84% citing the need for food and 55% experiencing housing stress. With their dependants included, support from Vincentians reached more than 70,000 people across NSW from July 2021 to June 2022.

Thank you to all our supporters, participants, donors, and sponsors that participated in this year’s NSW Vinnies Community Sleepout, the funds raised will make a profound difference at a time when so many people are doing it tough.