Vinnies Winter Appeal 2024

Recent reports show that the number of rental properties that a person earning minimum wage can afford has dropped below 1%. It means that more people like Luke and his dad, Colin, simply can't find anywhere to live.

Luke and Colin were living in rented accommodation, until the place was sold. Luke was working five days a week in a bakery, but he just couldn't find an affordable rental. Father and son, together with their dog, Ruby, tried living in boarding houses. But that didn't work out either. It was unsafe and expensive. They had no choice but to start sleeping rough. It was the beginning of the hardest year of their lives.

One day, they met Dennis, a dedicated Vinnies member-volunteer, who was walking his dog in the park. Dennis offered them some food vouchers and store cards and asked them to get in touch. He could see they needed much more than that. They needed to get off the streets - and fast, before Colin's health got any worse. Colin suffers from lung diseases that make it hard for him to breathe. Dennis helped Luke check his dad into hospital - and arranged for Luke to stay in a nearby motel. He also secured them a shared room in crisis accommodation, where they could have good sleep, good meals and safe, secure shelter. After just a few weeks, they were getting back on track.

Luke and Colin are not alone. Right now, a staggering 1,600 people in Australia are being forced into homelessness every single month. They urgently need your help. When you donate to Vinnies, you help us provide immediate assistance to people like Luke and Colin, as well as long-term support to help them find a place of their own. You also help us advocate for more affordable and social housing, so that everyone can have a home. Please give generously to our Winter Appeal today. Together, we can make a difference.

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