Learn About Homelessness

Learn About Homelessness and Hardship Help change the conversation on homelessness and hardship through learning. Overview Desired outcomes Access resources Why Education Matters The Power of Education Homelessness in Australia is often misunderstood. Many people believe it only refers to sleeping on the street, but that is just one part of a much bigger picture. At Orange Sky, we believe that connection and conversation have the power to change lives. Every day, we support people doing it tough through free laundry, warm showers and a safe place to connect. When more people understand the true nature of homelessness, our communities are better equipped to offer meaningful support. The impact of education on homelessness and hardship: Understand Homelessness Build Empathy Take Community Action Inspire Change Access Resources Curriculum-Aligned Classroom Resources Flexible modules designed to build empathy, start conversation and encourage student-led action. Self-Paced Learning Learn About Homelessness Learn about types of homelessness, real stories and the latest research. Coming Soon Workplace Resources Resources to help you change the conversation at work. Scroll for more Why Education Matters Homelessness can affect anyone. It is not always visible, and it often carries stigma that prevents people from seeking help. Education helps challenge those assumptions and build a more compassionate, informed community. The conversations we have on shift often reveal this, a feeling of being misunderstood or judged. Misconceptions about homelessness can lead to stigma, and stigma can stop someone from seeking help, feeling safe or being recognised as part of their community. By creating learning resources that support open and honest conversations, especially with young people, we are working to shift perceptions, reduce stigma and create a more supportive future for everyone doing it tough. "Understanding the realities of homelessness is the first step toward supporting those facing it" Shayne Herriott, Chief Operations Officer YouGov Data Every statistic has a story Orange Sky commissioned independent research through YouGov to better understand how Australians perceive homelessness. The findings highlight a significant gap between perception and reality, reinforcing the need for greater education and awareness. Only 10% of Australians feel very confident they can correctly define homelessness 65% believe homelessness means sleeping rough, despite this representing just 6.2% of cases Nearly 74% agree that more education about homelessness is needed “Our data is telling us that Australians believe they know what the face of homelessness looks like. But the truth is, homelessness is far more complex than just sleeping rough, and there is a much greater need for education and awareness surrounding what homelessness actually looks like here in Australia.. Homelessness can happen to anyone, and we know this first hand” Lucas Patchett, CEO I want to... Use your service Learn more about how to use our service. Donate Help us support people doing it tough. Volunteer All it takes is a few hours of your time each fortnight to make a difference. Fundraise Raise awareness and funds for Orange Sky. Partner See how your organisation can get involved