World Homeless Day
World Homeless Day 2025 is on the 10th of October. The event is an opportunity to raise compassion and understanding of homelessness – something which affects people from all walks of life.
How can you help homeless people on World Homeless Day?
Get informed!
We’re often asked about practical ways to help homeless people.
We get it – you don’t want to ‘get it wrong’. But, there is so much we can all do to support homeless people in our communities.
Download the free guide now!
Our guide ‘How to Help Homeless People’ is a great place to start.
The guide contains helpful information and guidance:
- Learn about the different types of homelessness
- Read about the support available to homeless people
- Find out what practical support you can offer to rough sleepers
Donate!
Giving to a charity like ours ensures that you are helping people who are homeless in the right way. We give grants to people as they take steps to escape the cycle of homelessness.
Regular donations are particularly impactful. They give us a steady, reliable income we can count on, especially at a time when the demand for our support is increasing.
‘In a south London suburb, it is disturbing to see people forced by life’s circumstances to beg in the street or to sleep rough in the churchyard, even in the worst of weather. We are advised not to give money – and supplying a sandwich or a drink, although showing compassion, seems like a random act. I therefore prefer to donate regularly to Church Homeless Charity, where I know funds will be specifically targeted to provide maximum benefit to those requiring it most. I can only recommend this method of showing love to a needy neighbour.’
Stuart Forbes – Regular donor
We are a small yet highly efficient charity, reliant on the generosity of our donors.
Every contribution you make allows us to provide timely, tailored grants to individuals in England – around 3,000 every year.
With around 354,000 homeless people in England, we are just scratching the surface.
Could you help us to increase our support where it is so vitally needed?
Fundraise!
A little support at the right time can be life-changing.
And every penny that you can raise through fundraising helps us to support those who need it most.
You can fundraise for us by setting up a JustGiving page here.
Need some ideas? How about:
- Hosting a tea or coffee morning
- Joining a sleep out with colleagues
- Organising a woolly hat day (top tip for remote workers who meet over video calls).
- Taking part in a physical challenge, like a triathlon
- Taking a fundraising tin along to your regular yoga/martial arts/crafting class
Why World Homeless Day?
Every year, we mark World Homeless Day – it gives us an opportunity to raise awareness and help more people in need.
- It is an opportunity to share vital information about homelessness
- To debunk common myths
- Celebrate success stories
- Help others to help homeless people
- And of course to raise donations to allow us to keep rebuilding lives throughout the year.
How churches can support World Homeless Day
World Homeless Day is also a very important time for the church community, with churches across England choosing to mark the event with a special service.
Deuteronomy 15:11 “For there will never cease to be poor in the land. Therefore I command you, ‘You shall open wide your hand to your brother, to the needy and to the poor, in your land.’”
Churches can download resources for World Homeless Day by heading to our resources page.
Resources include:
- Prayers for homeless people
- Our Impact Report
- Ideas for church services on homelessness
- Printable support services slips for homeless callers
How can churches support homeless people in their community?
We want to help you prepare for homeless visitors to your church, and feel confident in giving the right help.
Download the free guide now!
Our guide contains helpful information for all staff and volunteers in places of worship.
- Find out how to provide practical support to homeless callers
- Learn about what you should and shouldn’t do to help
- Discover our guide on keeping staff and congregations safe
A Poster version of the guide is also available for staff noticeboards. You can find this on our Resources page.
Get informed, and help us to break the stigma of homelessness
In addition to our guides, head to our blog posts and increase your understanding of the challenges faced by people experiencing homelessness.