World Homeless Day is observed internationally on the 10th of October, Every Year.
This international day serves as a platform to celebrate good works, benchmark progress, advocate for improved policies and funding that can help prevent and end homelessness.
World Homeless Day also aims to raise awareness about the needs of people who currently experience homelessness and promote work in local communities to alleviate suffering and prevent death.
Ideas
- Host a Housing & Homelessness Summit or Roundtable on or near the date
- Set Goals /Benchmark Progress = by World Homeless Day next year, we aim to…
- Celebrate what you have achieved since October 10th last year
- Announce Policy Change
- Repeal Laws that Criminalize aspects of Homelessness
- Host your Housing / Homelessness Conference near or on the date
- Launch a Fundraising Campaign
- Release Major Reports
- Disperse New Funds
- Host a Guest Speaker
- Highlight Local Issues in the Media
- Acknowledge Staff & Volunteers
- Help Promote the day by linking to the website www.worldhomelessday.org from yours & or Promoting the day on Social Media
- Launch New Services
- Celebrate & Support Local Charities
- Host a Health Clinic / Wellness Day
- Hold a Public Rally / Protest (within local laws)
- Appoint a new Patron / Ambassador
- Invite Politicians to visit your support service to ‘Show and Tell’ them about your work / needs
- Host a Memorial for those who have Died While Homeless
- Install a ‘Pop-Up’ Public Work of Art about Homelessness
- Host a Workshop or Training Day on Homelessness for Emergency Responders / Health Care Workers / other service providers
- Have a Collection of Goods & or Funds at your School & or Workplace & or Place of Worship for a local Charity
- Have a ‘Spring Clean’ of your Clothing / Household Items – Donate them to Charity
- Host an Educational / Experiential event like a Sleep-Out, Screening of a Film with a Speaker
- Write to your local Politicians about a Policy you want Changed
- Issue a City / Province / State or National Proclamation in recognition of the day.
- Rent a Spare room in your home to a Student (freeing up accommodation for others)
- Develop or Update your Company Policy on Staff Allowances regarding Domestic Violence / Housing Distress
- Or Your Unique Idea
History
The concept of ‘World Homeless Day’ emerged from online discussions between people working to respond to homelessness from various parts of the world.
The Inaugural day was marked on the 10th of October 2010, which makes 2025 celebrations, the 16th annual World Homeless Day.
Since its founding, it has been observed on every continent (except Antarctica), in over 100 countries.
Use of the idea of ‘World Homeless Day’ is open for all to use… anywhere in the world.
Using Proximity to World Homeless Day
You can use the day as a point of reference, and mention what you are doing is for example:
- In the lead-up to World Homeless Day…
- In the week/s before…
- Only days before…
- On…
- On the occasion of…
- In recognition of…
- To celebrate…
- Only days after…
- Only weeks after…
- In view of World Homeless Day…
The international day is referenced and pointed to all year round, with a groundswell of activity around a month and a half surrounding it.
What is the Theme for 2025?
Unlike many other international days or observances, World Homeless Day does not have a theme each year.
What is the Colour for World Homeless Day?
There is no official worldwide color used, however some individual charities run engagement programs that include the wearing of one colour or another to support that charity.
