Locals unite for NSW Vinnies Community Sleepout 2023

Local communities across the state will take part in the 2023 NSW Vinnies Community Sleepout this Friday to raise funds and awareness in support of services operated by the St Vincent de Paul Society.

Funds raised from events will enable the Society to provide material and financial assistance to those experiencing or at risk of homelessness. 

St Vincent de Paul Society NSW members and services have experienced increased requests for assistance according to CEO Yolanda Saiz.

“We’re seeing a new demographic of people turning to charities for support over the past 18 months. It has been very concerning to see a growing number of people in employment and families on dual incomes reaching out in a time of desperation because of the cost of living,” said Ms Saiz.

“Housing costs have been a key driver in the demand for support with close to half of the people we’ve assisted this past year experiencing housing stress, while one-in-three people were renting on the private market which has become increasingly volatile.

“Fortunately, we’ve been able to provide more than $13.5 million in financial and material assistance with food, clothing, household bills and other expenses to help people keep their head above water,” said Ms Saiz.

More than 86,000 people sought assistance from St Vincent de Paul Society NSW members in the past year with four-in-five requesting assistance with food and one-in-three seeking support for the first time.

“Our members and staff do remarkable work meeting the individual needs of people facing hardship each day,” said Paul Burton, St Vincent de Paul Society NSW State President.

“The funds raised through the NSW Vinnies Community Sleepout will be essential in allowing the Society to respond to the growing demand for support so that people aren’t burdened by a daily struggle to survive from one day to the next.

“We should not accept that poverty is an everyday part of life in a country as prosperous as Australia; I hope that by holding the sleepout we can call out the injustices of our society and demand better.”

NSW Vinnies Community Sleepouts will be held in Albury, Armidale, Tweed Heads, Wagga Wagga and Western Sydney on Friday 25 August.  

Donations can be made at www.vinnies.org.au/communitysleepout