Armidale in August is not a place anyone chooses to sleep outside. Frosts settle hard on the tablelands and icy winds cut straight through a swag, which is exactly why St Vincent de Paul Society NSW is asking locals to give up their beds for a night and find out what it feels like for those sleeping rough.
The annual Vinnies NSW Community Sleepout will be held at the Sport UNE Gymnasium at the University of New England on Friday, 28 August, inviting locals to learn about the rising need for support and how the Society is responding through its network of programs and services.
More than 1,100 people sought help from Vinnies members in Armidale over the past year, including 147 known to be homeless or in temporary accommodation.
St Vincent de Paul Society NSW Regional Director for the North West Sarah Wilson said the numbers reflected a growing local strain.
“We’re seeing a growing number of people sleeping rough and even more sleeping in cars, relying on friends and unsure of whether they will have a long-term tenure,” Ms Wilson said.
“Close to half of the people our members supported locally are facing housing stress and struggling to keep a roof over their head.”
“One of the big challenges with housing stress is that people are having to cut back on other parts of their budget, such as food or utilities, and their quality of life suffers as a result.”
Funds raised from the sleepout will support the Society’s work in Armidale and neighbouring communities, providing financial and material assistance through local Conference members as part of the Start Fresh program.
The event falls during Homelessness Week (3 to 9 August), ahead of the 2026 Census on Tuesday, 11 August. The most recent Census, conducted during the pandemic in 2021, found more than 122,000 people homeless nationally, including 35,000 in New South Wales.
St Vincent de Paul Society NSW State President Peter Houweling said the need was being felt every day.
“Every day our members and services are meeting with people who don’t have a safe and secure place to call home,” Mr Houweling said.
“It could be a rent increase, an eviction notice or having to leave for safety, there are so many factors that contribute to homelessness, yet sadly we often don’t have enough services and housing to provide people with the support they need.
“Homelessness is solvable given the will to act. I urge people to come along to the Vinnies NSW Community Sleepout to see how they can play a part in addressing the issue.”
Community members, businesses, schools and local organisations are encouraged to take part or make a donation. To register or support a participant, visit vinnies.org.au/communitysleepout.
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