Homelessness is rising faster than ever before in Australia — and our region is feeling it hard.
As we mark Homelessness Week 2025 (August 4–10), Dharma Care and our partners across the Northern Rivers are raising awareness and calling for urgent, collective action.
This year’s national theme is clear and urgent: “Homelessness Action Now.” Because we can’t afford to wait.
The Crisis We Can’t Ignore
Homelessness is no longer something that happens “to someone else.” It’s now hitting single parents, full-time workers, flood-affected residents, older Australians, and young people at alarming rates.
Recent national figures show:
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122,000+ Australians are homeless on any given night.
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54% of low-income renters are in rental stress.
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208 people are turned away from homelessness services every day — over 53,000 per year.
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Children and young people make up 37% of all people experiencing homelessness.
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Rough sleeping is up 33% in the last two years.
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Persistent homelessness (7+ months without a home) is rising.
In our region, the need is amplified by local challenges:
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500+ homes lost in the 2022 Northern Rivers floods.
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85%+ of locals can’t afford a two-bedroom rental.
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47% of renters in Tweed Shire are in rental stress.
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An ageing population and rising cost of living are pushing more people to crisis.
What We’re Doing About It: Songs for Shelter
During Homelessness Week, we’re using the power of music and community to raise critical funds for local frontline services.
Through the Songs for Shelter – Winter Warmer campaign, every tax-deductible donation goes directly to four incredible local homelessness support centres:
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Fletcher Street Cottage (Byron Bay)
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Fred’s Place (Tweed Heads)
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Pottsville Beach Neighbourhood Centre
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Murwillumbah Community Centre
These services provide thousands of people with food, shelter, clothing, and compassionate support every year.
🎵 In return, we ask you to nominate a song that makes you feel warm, safe, or loved.
Each track is added to a growing Spotify playlist — a shared soundtrack of hope and care.
Campaign Progress: Help Us Hit the Goal
So far, our community has raised an incredible:
💰 $29,256 that’s 58% of our $50,000 goal — and we’re not stopping!
Your donation today will help us reach the finish line and deliver even more warmth, dignity, and hope this winter.
DONATE NOW + GIVE WARMTH
Why It Matters
Homelessness is not inevitable. It’s the result of policy failure, underinvestment, and systems that are stretched beyond capacity.
This week, we’re standing up — and singing out — to demand better.
To show that our community cares, and change is possible.
💡 Your support helps provide:
Hot meals
Warm clothes and blankets
Tents and sleeping bags
Emergency relief for families in crisis
Together, we can help end the cycle — and bring lasting change.
Let’s Make Noise for Change
🎶 Add your song.
💛 Make your donation.
📣 Share the campaign.
👉 Donate now:
dharmacare.org.au/songs-for-shelter-winter-warmer
givenow.com.au/songsforshelter
🎧 Listen to the Playlist of Hope:
bit.ly/Songs_For_Shelter
Let’s turn compassion into action — and music into warmth.