WORLD HOMELESS DAY

World Homeless Day 2024

On World Homeless Day, we take the opportunity to shed light on a crisis that disproportionately affects First Nations peoples. While over 122,000 Australians are experiencing homelessness, the figures for First Nations communities are particularly alarming. Though we make up only 3.3% of the total population, First Nations peoples represent 20% of those experiencing homelessness.
For us, homelessness is not just about lacking a roof over our heads—it’s about the layers of systemic barriers that have been built over generations. These include financial instability, mental health challenges, family breakdowns, and, most significantly, intergenerational trauma stemming from colonization, dispossession, and past government policies like the Stolen Generations. Our people continue to bear the brunt of these injustices, which manifest in housing insecurity and other areas of social disadvantage.

At Grassroots Projects, we are not only committed to addressing the immediate needs of our people but also to tackling the root causes of this crisis. Our work is grounded in cultural safety and trauma-informed care, recognizing that healing our communities requires more than just providing housing—it requires addressing the deep wounds left by colonization and ongoing structural inequalities.

On this World Homeless Day, we reaffirm our commitment to breaking the cycle of homelessness in our communities. By addressing the systemic barriers and ensuring culturally safe support, we can create a future where every First Nations person has a place to call home. Together, we can build stronger communities rooted in respect, dignity, and connection to land and culture.

#WorldHomelessDay #FirstNationsHousing #CulturallySafeCare