World Homeless Day is observed internationally on the 10th of October, Every Year.

Purpose

This international day serves as a platform to celebrate good works, benchmark progress, advocate for improved policies and funding that can help prevent and end homelessness.

World Homeless Day also aims to raise awareness about the needs of people who currently experience homelessness and promote work in local communities to alleviate suffering and prevent death. 

Ideas

1. Host a Housing & Homelessness Summit or Roundtable on or near the date
2. Set Goals /Benchmark Progress = by World Homeless Day next year, we aim to… 
3. Celebrate what you have achieved since October 10th last year
4. Announce Policy Change 
5. Repeal Laws that Criminalize aspects of Homelessness 
6. Host your Housing / Homelessness Conference near or on the date
7. Launch a Fundraising Campaign 
8. Release Major Reports 
9. Disperse New Funds 
10. Host a Guest Speaker 
11. Highlight Local Issues in the Media 
12. Acknowledge Staff & Volunteers 
13. Help Promote World Homeless Day by linking to the website  www.worldhomelessday.org from yours & or Promoting it on Social Media
14. Launch New Services 
15. Celebrate & Support Local Charities 
16. Host a Health Clinic / Wellness Day 
17. Hold a Public Rally / Protest (within local laws)
18. Appoint a new Patron / Ambassador 
19. Invite Politicians to visit your support service to ‘Show and Tell’ them about your work / needs 
20. Host a Memorial for those who have Died While Homeless 
21. Install a ‘Pop-Up’ Public Work of Art about Homelessness 
22. Host a Workshop or Training Day on Homelessness for Emergency Responders / Health Care Workers / other service providers 
23. Have a Collection of Goods & or Funds at your School & or Workplace & or Place of Worship for a local Charity 
24. Have a ‘Spring Clean’ of your Clothing / Household Items – Donate them to Charity 
25. Host an Educational / Experiential event like a Sleep-Out, Screening of a Film with a Speaker 
26. Write to your local Politicians about a Policy you want Changed 
27. Issue a City / Province / State or National Proclamation in recognition of the day.
28. Rent a Spare room in your home to a Student (freeing up accommodation for others) 
29. Develop or Update your Company Policy on Staff Allowances regarding Domestic Violence / Housing Distress
30. Or Your Unique Idea
    
    

History of World Homeless Day

The concept of ‘World Homeless Day’ emerged from online discussions between people working to respond to homelessness from various parts of the world.

The Inaugural World Homeless Day was marked on the 10th of October 2010.

Since its founding, World Homeless Day has been observed on every continent (except Antarctica), in over 100 countries.

Use of the idea of ‘World Homeless Day’ is open for all to use… anywhere in the world.

October 10th, 2024, is the 15th annual World Homeless Day.

Using Proximity to World Homeless Day

You can use the day as a point of reference, and mention what you are doing is for example:

• In the lead-up to World Homeless Day…
• In the week/s before…
• Only days before…
• On…
• On the occasion of…
• In recognition of…
• To celebrate…
• Only days after…
• Only weeks after…
• In view of World Homeless Day…