Homelessness Week 2024

The world’s eyes are fixed on Paris – from the headline-grabbing opening ceremony to Australia’s growing medal tally, the Olympics continue to dominate our front pages and algorithms.

But as the world celebrates and cheers the Paris Olympics, homeless people are shifted off the streets by their government. Stability of those most vulnerable, including migrants and refugees sacrificed in the name of entertainment. Out of sight, and out of mind.

This is hardly a problem unique to Paris. The Olympics have a long, shameful history of excluding and evicting the homeless to keep up appearances and obscure the inequality and poverty that runs rampant in host cities.

From August 5-11, the nation observes National Homelessness Week – shining a light on those who are, or are at risk of homelessness and rough living. Let us embrace this opportunity to open our hearts, not harden them, and act to support those brothers and sisters of ours who are at risk of homelessness.

Let us turn our eyes to the Homeless this week.

Let us turn our eyes to the homeless, because Scripture calls us to act differently – as we are reminded in Deuteronomy 15:7-8 “If among you, one of your brothers should become poor, in any of your towns within your land that the Lord your God is giving you, you shall not harden your heart or shut your hand against your poor brother, but you shall open your hand to him and lend him sufficient for his need, whatever it may be.”

Let us turn our eyes to the homeless because the picture is devastating. In February, the Guardian published chilling details of a 12-month long investigation into homelessness. Few would argue that homelessness is easy, but even the most cynical person would find the details published shocking; a life expectancy of 30 years less than the average Australian. No demographic experiences a level of life expectancy gap in Australia of this severity.

Let us turn our eyes to the homeless, as homelessness has many forms, and comes from many causes. In particular, the insidious effect it has on those suffering from domestic violence is a dimension that is often overlooked. Consider also the effect homelessness has on entrenching disadvantage amongst First Nations Australians, who make up one fifth of all of Australia’s homeless population. One in seven children in this nation are homeless. Surely, we cannot ignore their plight.

As Christians we must challenge ourselves to not turn away, and to act in love.

Act Now

We can do this in a multitude of ways.

Please consider a financial contribution. Baptist Care Australia’s partner organisations provide crucial housing and support across the nation – please prayerfully consider donating to Baptist Care’s NSW, ACT and WA organisation here.

We also strongly encourage you to join the voices of those who are active in this space through petition. Baptist Care Australia is a proud member of the campaign Everybody’s Home. Partnering across the social services sector with organisations including the Salvation Army and Mission Australia, this is a powerful way we can advocate for specific, informed and direct policy change.

Please pray for us! Members of the Baptist family, and the Baptist Advocacy Roundtable will be heading to Canberra for Converge – our national advocacy initiative. As our Baptist family meets with MPs and Senators, please pray for wisdom, discernment, clarity, and most of all compassion and open hearts. Systemic policy change, including in public housing, will be necessary for short and long-term solutions to the housing crisis.

And of course, we would encourage all church pastors and leaders to share this with their Churches, especially as Homelessness Week approaches.

Real tangible action is needed – from individuals, organisations and government – and the church can speak into this area with power, clarity and strength.

After all, care for those in need are at the core of our faith.

As we turn our eyes to the most vulnerable in our nation, we honour our God and saviour.

Let’s not turn away this Homelessness Week.

 

Author Theo Doraisamy is a member of the Baptist Advocacy Roundtable and the Pacific Australian Emerging Leaders Network, a joint initiative between Micah Australia and the Pacific Conference of Churches. He is a secondary teacher in his day job.

Follow the work of Baptist Care Australia here,

Sign up for “Everybody’s Home” here