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

History

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 several dozen countries.

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

Purpose

The purpose of World Homeless Day is to draw attention to the needs of people who experience homelessness locally and provide opportunities for the community to get involved in responding to homelessness, while taking advantage of the stage an ‘international day’ provides – to end homelessness through improved policy and funding.

Ideas

1. Host a Housing & Homelessness Summit or Roundtable
2. Set Goals /Benchmark Progress = by World Homeless Day next year, we aim to… 
3. Celebrate what you have achived 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. Launch New Services 
14. Celebrate & Support Local Charities 
15. Host a Health Clinic / Wellness Day 
16. Hold a Public Rally / Protest 
17. Appoint a new Patron / Ambassador 
18. Invite Politicians to Show + Tell them about your service 
19. Host a Memorial for those who have Died While Homeless 
20. Install a ‘Pop-Up’ Public Work of Art about Homelessness 
21. Host a Workshop or Training Day on Homelessness for Emergency Responders / Health Care Workers / other service providers 
22. Have a Collection of Goods & or Funds at your School & or Workplace & or Place of Worship for a local Charity 
23. Have a ‘Spring Clean’ of your Clothing / Household Items – Donate them to Charity 
24. Host an Educational / Experiential event like a Sleep-Out, Screening of a Film with a Speaker 
25. Write to your local Politicians about a Policy you want Changed 
26. Rent a Spare room in your home to a Student (freeing up accommodation for others) 
27. Develop or Update your Company Policy on Staff Allowances regarding Domestic Violence / Housing Distress
28. + Your Ideas

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…
• Only days after…
• Only weeks after…
• In view of World Homeless Day…