When is World Homeless Day?

The next occurence will be on October 10th, 2025. The last occurence was on October 10th, 2024.

World Homeless Day (October 10th)

Quick facts
When is it?	Every October 10th
What's the official website?	Official site
Tagged as:	Charity Life & Living
What's the hashtag?	#WorldHomelessDay
We first published this page on:	Dec 23rd, 2017
We last updated this page:	Oct 9th, 2024

The last time a global survey of homelessness was attempted by the United Nations (in 2005), statistics showed that homelessness is on the rise. In fact, it was estimated that more than 100 million people worldwide are homeless, and at least 1.5 billion people lacked housing that was adequate.

It is with this in mind that World Homeless Day is observed.

History of World Homeless Day

World Homeless Day was born out of discussions between aid workers around the world, all of whom were helping the homeless in their own countries. The aim and slogan of the day is ‘locals act locally on a global day’.

The emphasis is on giving hands-on aid that is sensitive to local needs, while being aware of the global problem of homelessness and feeling solidarity with other charity workers around the world.

How to Observe World Homeless Day

Unfortunately, data shows that homelessness has been steadily rising over the past ten years or so. Learn about ways to observe this day that might make a difference in the life of a homeless person:

Raise Awareness for Homelessness Locally

On this day, many people can honor the day by helping to raise awareness for the homeless in your own community. Grassroots campaigns and fundraisers work at the local level, while taking advantage of the increased publicity and solidarity that a global platform has the ability to provide.

Use this Day as an opportunity to educate people about the homeless in your local area, the infrastructure that already exists to help them and how it can be improved.

Host a World Homeless Day Fundraiser

World Homeless Day fundraisers and celebrations can be converted into gains which will help the homeless long after the Day is over. Getting the community together to help educate them on the problem is super, and adding in an opportunity to help boost the fundraising efforts is even better. Hold a car wash, a raffle, a formal dinner or Sunday brunch. Host a birthday fundraiser, run in a 5K race, or hold a bake sale! Tons of ideas can be used to get people involved with helping those who could use some assistance with housing.

Learn the Risk Factors of Homlessness

Homelessness is a particular problem in Western countries and is one of the most pressing social issues today. Some of the problems with homelessness have to do with increased housing costs, particularly in very high cost of living countries in Europe, such as England, Ireland and Belgium.

But in most places, there exist risk factors that keep people from being able to sustain adequate housing on a long-term basis. Knowing this can be helpful for those who have a relationship with someone who might be at risk. Some of these risk factors for chronic homelessness include:

Physical Health

When people have a severe illness, whether chronic or unexpected, they often have trouble paying their medical bills which compound and make it difficult for them to have the finances to pay for housing. This is likely less of a factor in countries where the cost of medical care is included as part of the social well-being of the general public.
Mental Health

Various problems with mental health, such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or anxiety disorder, can limit a person’s ability to hold down a job, be responsible for housing and manage relationships related to housing.
Substance Use and Addictions

The use of drugs, whether illicit, prescription or alcohol-related, can be predictors for homelessness because this affects financial responsibility, personal care, and relationships.
Prior Homelessness or Frequent Transitions

Those who have been without housing in the past (perhaps as children) or who have experienced frequent moves and housing transitions are considered vulnerable as they have less connection and stability.

Make a Donation to a Charity for Vulnerable People

Sometimes, getting involved means helping meet an immediate need that will reduce or prevent the risk in certain individuals. Although people’s hearts might be tugged on by someone begging for money by holding up a cardboard sign on the street, in most cases it is better to give to those charities who can use the finances more effectively. These organizations are filled with professionals who are dedicated to trying to put an end to this social problem of homelessness.

Here are some trustworthy charities to look at either to donate to or to volunteer time with:

Institute of Global Homelessness. Founded in 2014, the goal of the institute is to end the problem of street homelessness. Their vision is a world where every human has a home that offers security, safety, autonomy and opportunity. It is the first organization to focus on homelessness as a global problem.
National Alliance to End Homelessness. This is a nonpartisan organization that is focused on the mission to end and prevent homelessness in the US.
DePaul International. A top-rated charity exists to support individuals to move them out of the direction of homelessness. They have a large impact that teaches values such as rights and responsibility, taking a wider role in civil society, celebrating the potential in people and putting their words into action.
Street Newspapers. Different versions of these organizations exist in different countries. In the US, there is Streetwise, Street Speech, or Real Change News. In the UK and Australia, there is The Big Issue, Sweden has Faktum, and other places also These organizations typically use the philosophy of giving a hand up instead of a handout. These newspapers and magazines offer opportunities to empower at-risk people to earn a living when they otherwise might not be employable.