The Australian Catholic Bishops’ Social Justice Statement of 2018–19 titled A Place to Call Home: Making a home for everyone in our land confronts the growing challenge of homelessness and housing insecurity in Australia.
The latest Census figures show that more than 116,000 Australians are homeless – something unacceptable for a rich and well-resourced nation like ours. Yet these people are only the tip of the iceberg: welfare agencies report growing numbers of families and individuals struggling to meet the cost of mortgages or rents and turning to specialist housing services, which are often unable to meet demand.
The Scriptural basis of the Statement is Jesus’ parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:30–35), about an outsider who does something that rich and influential men refuse to do: he stops to help a man in desperate need, takes him to safety and pays for his care.
The Statement also draws on the example of Pope Francis, who has reached out to men and women on the streets of Rome and reminded us forcefully of the rights of people experiencing homelessness around the world.
The Bishops consider the extent of our housing crisis and Australia’s falling rates of home ownership. They focus especially on those in our society who are most vulnerable to housing insecurity and homelessness.
Safe and secure housing is a human right, asserted both by the Church’s social teaching and by the Declaration of Human Rights.
Homelessness is a challenge for all levels of society: for government, for Church and community, and for us as individuals. Each one of us can make a difference and, when we join with others, we can be a real force for change that ensures everyone has a place to call home.
Housing Publications
2023 Annual Dinner focuses on housing and homelessness
Housing and homelessness were key topics of conversation at this year’s Catholic social services annual dinner held at 53 South Wharf Promenade, by the banks of the Yarra River in Melbourne.
Coles Fitzroy partnership with St Mary’s House of Welcome
During Victoria’s latest lockdown period in August, Coles Local Fitzroy on Johnston Street has donated six trolley’s worth of food to St Mary’s House of Welcome. Given the great need in the local community, this donation was particularly welcomed.
Seven ways to support Homelessness Week
Homelessness Week 2021 is well underway, and the theme for this year is ‘Everybody Needs a Home’. We share seven practical things you can do during and beyond Homelessness Week 2021, to join the fight to ensure everybody has a home.
St Mary’s House of Welcome adjusts to COVID-normal
As we move deeper into Winter and Victoria tries to adjust to a ‘more normal’ COVID-safe existence, St Mary’s House of Welcome in Fitzroy is taking a stepwise approach to easing back to its mission work as an engagement hub.
Opportunity to volunteer with Rosies Oblate Youth Mission
Rosies Oblate Youth Mission Inc provides young volunteers with the chance to actively live their faith alongside other young people who wish to do the same. Regular Rosies volunteers are aged between 18 and 30 and serve drinks and have a chat to those who come to the van at Federation Square every Wednesday and Friday evening.
Failure to ‘raise the rate’ could entrench disadvantage
Catholic Social Services Australia CEO Dr Ursula Stephens says the failure to retain the higher Jobseeker rate provided during the pandemic will create financial pressure on families that could last for generations.
Reports call for boost in services in rural Victoria
Catholic Social Services Victoria has released two reports which outline the gaps in services in the Gippsland and Warrnambool regions.
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