The Wollongong Homeless Hub has estimated that on any given night there are about 1500 people homeless in the Illawarra.
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Therefore, the Hub is asking the community to “wrap up” for homelessness during the first week of winter.
‘Wrap Up Homelessness’, taking place from June 4 to 8, is an initiative to raise awareness about individuals and families experiencing or at risk of homelessness.
The Hub is aiming to raise $5000 to support those in need.
Mandy Booker, manager of Wollongong Emergency Family Housing and Wollongong Homeless Hub said they are inviting the public to host a fundraising day by wrapping up and wearing a scarf, shawl, wrap or beanie and collecting a gold coin donation at work, school, church/community group or sporting club.
Ms Booker said the Hub is seeing an increasing number of middle-income individuals and families seeking assistance through their service, that are currently homeless or at risk of homelessness.
Every dollar counts when you have nothing.
- Mandy Booker
“They are just not able to meet rental payments in the current unstable housing market,” she said.
“These are people who have full-time employment, who have never had to access these service supports before and who often have good rental history.
‘’They simply cannot afford the increased rents in the private market.
“With additional people accessing the Hub we need the help of our supporters more than ever to provide material and financial assistance in emergency situations.”
Read more: The hidden faces of the Illawarra's homeless
Ms Booker said this assistance could be used to meet a variety of needs, such as prescription medications, food vouchers, Opal cards, travel to escape domestic violence, emergency accommodation, tents/swags, petrol vouchers and support for homeless people who are hospitalized.
“Every dollar counts when you have nothing,” Ms Booker said. “Please help us raise funds to help those who are going without in our local community.”
More than a dozen Illawarra schools have already pledged to take part.
If you are interested in supporting ‘Wrap Up Homelessness’ Week, email info@wefh.org.au to register.
According to recent data from the 2016 Census of Population and Housing, NSW recorded the most severe jump in homelessness of any state or territory between the 2016 and 2011 censuses.
The number of people who are homeless in NSW soared by more than one-third.
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