Homes Beyond COVID

  • + - Campaign Toolkit and Resources

    According to the 2016 census, there were an estimated 8,200 people in Australia sleeping rough. We estimate that amongst the communities the AAEH works with at least 5,000 people were provided temporary accommodation in the first 8 weeks of the COVID-19 pandemic. This effort represents one of the most significant responses to rough sleeping Australia has ever seen.

    We now have an urgent task to ensure that these 5,000+ sheltered people are not pushed back onto the streets. Homes beyond COVID is an organised, collaborative effort aimed at providing both short- and long-term solutions.

    Over the next few months, we’re requesting meetings with the federal government to present a sustainable response plan and discuss the action that all government’s needs to take to end rough sleeping homelessness in Australia.

    We want to use our collective voice to help shape the outcome and achieve an end to rough sleeping in Australia. Together we can make a difference.

    Below is a number of ways you can get involved and show your support.

    Download the Homes beyond COVID Campaign Toolkit here.

  • + - Sign the petition

    Together we can end rough sleeping homelessness. Sign our petition and share it across your social media platforms to demand #HomesBeyondCovid. Together we can make a difference - let’s show that Australians want Government Action to end rough sleeping homelessness. Sign here:

  • + - Download the Policy Plan

    Homes beyond COVID: Let’s get the job done

    A Sustainable response to Rough Sleeping, Winter 2020.

    There has never been a better time to end rough sleeping homelessness in Australia than right now.

    As we know, we are not through this crisis yet and to get the job done we need a sustainable COVID-19 response to rough sleeping homelessness. This paper sets out what we think that should look like.

  • + - Share on social media

    Using your social media presence to share stories, voice your demands, and amplify the messages of the campaign are important ways to get the attention of politicians and advocate for change.

    Be sure to follow @AAEH0 and @_everybodyshome on Twitter, and use the hashtags #HomesBeyondCovid #homesnothotels #everybodyshome and #RaiseTheRate

    The report is also available online at the AAEH website. Remember to direct your audiences to the Homes Beyond Covid website so they can support our asks.

    Please use the posts and graphics below to help spread the word.

    Facebook

    • We need a health-informed approach to end homelessness in Australia. How can Australians follow public health directives such as social distancing and maintaining personal hygiene if they don’t have a home? Show your support for #HomesBeyondCovid https://aaeh.org.au/homes-beyond-covid #homesnothotels #everybodyshome and #RaiseTheRate
    • Approximately 8,200 Australians are sleeping rough. With COVID-19 and the economic downturn, we can expect this number to increase. As we know, we are not through this crisis yet. We need a sustainable COVID-19 response to end rough sleeping homelessness in Australia for good. Find out how https://aaeh.org.au/homes-beyond-covid HomesBeyondCovid #homesnothotels #everybodyshome and #RaiseTheRate
    • Homelessness in Australia is both preventable and solvable. In the first eight weeks of the COVID-19 pandemic, more than 5,000 people sleeping rough were temporarily sheltered. We cannot tip people back onto the streets. Help us end rough sleeping homelessness for good https://aaeh.org.au/homes-beyond-covid #HomesBeyondCovid #homesnothotels #everybodyshome and #RaiseTheRate

    Twitter

    • We need a health-informed approach to end homelessness in Australia. How can Australians follow public health directives if they don’t have a home? Support #HomesBeyondCovid https://aaeh.org.au/homes-beyond-covid#homesnothotels #everybodyshome and #RaiseTheRate
    • Homelessness in Australia is both preventable and solvable. End rough sleeping homelessness for good https://aaeh.org.au/homes-beyond-covid #HomesBeyondCovid #homesnothotels #everybodyshome and #RaiseTheRate

    Social Media Tile 1

    Social Media Tile 2

    Social Media Tile 3
    Social Media Tile 4
  • + - Contact your local media

    Media are a key player to help spread the message and drive action. Get involved and share the work you do in your local community with media to raise awareness and support to end rough sleeping homelessness.

    You can get involved by:

    • Monitor what journalists are saying on social media – you can tag them in your social posts to raise awareness for the campaign or directly message them the release or report.
    • Get in touch with radio through their text lines and talk back numbers. See the Media Contact List to find your local radio station – please note, calls and texts are charged at local rates.
  • + - Engage your local MP

    Communicating with the government is a crucial activity to help inform and influence their decisions. Use the template and resources below to request a meeting, send a letter or have your local MP visit your organisation to raise awareness of rough sleeping homelessness in your community.

    Additional Resources:

    • Persons living in improvised dwellings, tents, or sleeping out – ABS Census Data, 2016
      Nationally: 8,200
      NSW: 2,588
      VIC: 1,123
      QLD: 1,736
      SA: 387
      WA: 1,083
      TAS: 139
      NT: 1,097
      ACT: 54
  • + - Open Letter to the Prime Minister

    On Wednesday 22 July 2020 the Australian Alliance to End Homelessness sent an Open Letter to the Prime Minister with an unprecedented call for action from Australian governments on COVID-19 and rough sleeping homelessness.

    Read the letter here.

    Find the media release here.

  • + - Mapping Rough Sleeping Homelessness in Australia

    Electorate-by-electorate data showing the number of people experiencing rough sleeping in Australia.

    These maps show the occurrences of people experiencing rough sleeping by local, state and federal electoral divisions based on census data.

    View Maps here.