Increase in community understanding of and engagement in ending homelessness
This measure tracks awareness of, and participation in, community efforts to end homelessness. It matters because shifting community attitudes and building engagement are essential for lasting systems change.
Summary
Prominent news stories on ABC TV, radio and in The Age and The Guardian amplified our message that ending homelessness is achievable when communities unite behind solutions.
Thousands of generous donors directly supported programs that prevent and help to end homelessness in Melbourne, reflecting growing public belief in solutions.
We connected with thousands of people through major events, celebrating ten years of the Broadmeadows Education First Youth Foyer, unveiling a mural in Melbourne’s CBD, and marking a decade-long partnership with REA Group.
More than 100 council staff from Dandenong and the Mornington Peninsula joined our Advance to Zero workshops to sharpen their ability to recognise and respond to homelessness in their communities.
In collaboration with builders SHAPE, and Open House Melbourne, we transformed public spaces into powerful storytelling platforms, from Elizabeth Street community activations to corporate triathlons.
Over the last 12 months, we have seen firsthand how collective action can drive real change
We know from our work that homelessness can happen to anyone, and anyone can help end homelessness.
This year showed that collective action drives real change. From the powerful Adnate mural unveiled in the CBD through Melbourne Zero, to guided scooter tours with Neuron Mobility during Open Housing Melbourne, we invited the public to see homelessness differently and understand their role in ending it.
We celebrated ten years of the Broadmeadows Education First Youth Foyer, highlighting the impact of safe housing and education, while also advocating nationally through the People’s Commission into the Housing Crisis and our Youth Foyer Prospectus.
Partnerships and campaigns expanded our reach, from becoming the sole charity partner for the Melbourne Teams Corporate Triathlon to engaging thousands of Melburnians through our donor communications like The Key, a quarterly newsletter.
Our Winter Appeal broke all records, exceeding the fundraising goal by nearly $300,000, which is proof that Melbourne wants to see change. The message is clear: whether through art, sport, philanthropy, social media or advocacy, our community has a role to play in making homelessness rare, brief, and non-recurring in Melbourne.
Five years of growth and evolving public perceptions
Over the past five years, growing philanthropic support has enabled us to expand innovative programs that fill critical gaps in the homelessness system. But lasting impact relies on more than funding, it depends on public belief, understanding and collective action.
Through our Consumer Research Project, now in its third year, we are tracking how Melburnians perceive and engage with homelessness. The findings highlight both strong community belief in solutions and a concerning decline in personal engagement.
Most Melburnians continue to believe homelessness is solvable. Seventy-seven percent of people agree it can be ended if we work together, and 90% see housing as a human right — both slight increases on last year. Recognition of hidden forms of homelessness has also grown, with 63% now recognising temporary accommodation as homelessness, up from 57% in 2024.
Yet personal engagement and empathy are under strain. People are facing more pressures than ever, and while 79% recognise homelessness as a serious problem, only 18% reported taking personal action in 2025, which is a notable decline from previous years.
This shift highlights the importance of protecting social licence: maintaining public belief that progress is possible, and ensuring people see clear and hopeful pathways to contribute. Our challenge — and opportunity — is to turn awareness into action by keeping our messaging simple, hopeful and solution-focused.
Turning engagement into impact through philanthropy
We’ve channelled this community belief into tangible impact through the support of our generous philanthropic partners. Over the past five years, fundraising and donor growth have powered programs such as the Education Pathways Program, helping children experiencing homelessness to stay in school, and expanded Advance to Zero projects across nine local government areas.
Together, these efforts show what’s possible when social licence, public engagement and philanthropy work hand-in-hand — turning shared belief into real change for people experiencing homelessness.
Impact stories
Client journey
