Shelter Tasmania

07/08/2026

If you've been out and about at night this week, you may have noticed some local buildings and landmarks lit up in purple.

Purple is the colour of homelessness, and the Light Up Tassie project aims to raise awareness of the impacts of homelessness, and to promote discussion towards solutions to end it.

Go to the Shelter Tas website to find a full list of locations, including an interactive map - www.sheltertas.org.au

Most of the lights will up all week, and if you're on the North West Coast this weekend, make sure you check out the giant penguin - who will once again be dressed in purple for the occasion!

Homelessness Australia National Shelter City of Hobart City of Launceston Official Central Coast Council City of Clarence Devonport City Council Burnie City Council Kingborough Council

05/08/2026

Not able to make it to a Homelessness Week event in person? We've got you covered... There are still plenty of ways to get involved online and support services and communities throughout the week.

🎙 Listen to the Voices of Homelessness series and hear powerful stories directly from people with lived experience of homelessness.

📸 Explore the Jacko Takes Photos x Loreto Community Housing Collaboration, highlighting the important role community housing plays in providing safe, affordable homes.

🏠 Get involved with the Everybody's Home Campaign, the national movement calling for action to address Australia's housing crisis.

💻Join the Homelessness Australia webinar on Thursday at 10:00am, for a conversation with Federal Minister for Housing and Homelessness, Clare O'Neil MP for a discussion about what's next in Australia' efforts to prevent and end homelessness.

Details of all of these events can be found on the Shelter Tas Homelessness Week Events Calendar at www.sheltertas.org.au

Whether you're in Tasmania or anywhere across the country, you can still take part in Homelessness Week 2026 and help raise awareness of the challenges people experiencing homelessness face and look towards sustainable solutions to the housing crisis!

04/08/2026

What a fabulous start to Homelessness Week 2026!

We've already seen incredible participation from communities, housing and homelessness services, local organisations and supporters right across the state. From awareness events and open days, to statewide campaigns like Light Up Tasmania Purple, the week has started with a strong show of solidarity and commitment to ending homelessness.

But it's only just getting started... There are still plenty of opportunities to get involved throughout the rest of the week, including awareness walks, morning teas, live events, expos, and conversations taking place across Tasmania.

If you haven't attended an event yet, there's still time. Check out the Homelessness Week Events Calendar and support the important work being done to raise awareness of homelessness and housing insecurity right across Tasmania.

📅 View the full calendar at https://sheltertas.org.au/homelessness-week-events-calendar-2026/

29/07/2026

Homelessness Week is a national event held each year in the first week of August, and it starts on Monday!

Being in the depths of Tasmania’s winter, Homelessness Week highlights the importance of having a secure, safe and warm home to go to. It also aims to raise awareness of people experiencing homelessness, the issues they face and what is needed to end homelessness.

As the peak body for housing and homelessness in Tasmania, each year Shelter Tas coordinates the week. We have compiled all the major events from right around the State, which includes a coordinated project between a range of organisations to 'Light Up Tasmania for Homelessness Week' - where public buildings and landmarks are illuminated in purple to raise awareness of the impacts of homelessness, and to advocate for solutions to end it.

You can view all the details on the Shelter Tas website and events calendar, make sure you come along to one (or many!) and get involved - www.sheltertas.org.au/homelessness-week-2026/

Homelessness Australia National Shelter Kerry Vincent Homes Tasmania City of Hobart City of Launceston Official

03/07/2026

Shelter Tas is again coordinating the Tasmanian sponsored delegate opportunity for the 2026 Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute (AHURI) Homelessness Conference in Darwin from 7–8 October 2026.

Sponsored delegate places are available for people with lived experience of homelessness who are engaged in contributing their lived experience perspective within the homelessness sector - providing an opportunity to participate in important conversations.

Sponsored delegates receive free registration, and travel and accommodation costs to attend the conference.

If you or one of your tenants/clients is interested in attending, please contact Shelter Tas ASAP. Application forms must be completed to be considered for the delegate position, and these must be submitted no later than 7 August 2026. To obtain application information, please email [email protected]

For more info: https://www.aushomelessconf.org.au/about/lived-experience

Photo: From the 2025 AHURI conference in Perth - Stephen Hill, Kim Bomford, Lauren McGrow, Will Foran (Tas consumer rep), Pattie Chugg.

05/06/2026

Across Tasmania and nationally, too many people are struggling to afford a safe and secure rental home - the scale of Australia's housing crisis demands urgent action.

Shelter Tas fully supports the proposed reforms to negative gearing and the capital gains tax discount, and has joined National Shelter by lodging a submission to the Senate Standing Committee on Economics in support of these important legislative changes.

Please join us by supporting the Everybody's Home Campaign in calling for a better housing system - https://everybodyshome.com.au/take-action/contact-the-crossbench/

A new Senate inquiry report shows the capital gains tax discount is making Australia’s housing crisis worse.

Reform can no longer wait, and there will never be a better moment.

The government has the evidence, the numbers, and public support to act. Inaction will make homes even harder to afford and widen the gap between the rich and everyone else.

We need the government to be bold - scrap investor tax breaks and use the billions in savings to build social housing.

📅 The May Budget is coming and decisions are being made. Take action now - it takes 2 mins!

Email the Treasurer: https://everybodyshome.com.au/take-action/email-the-treasurer/
Email your MP: https://everybodyshome.com.au/take-action/email-your-mp/

26/05/2026

Do you have lived experience of homelessness or experience working in the homelessness sector? Here is a great employment opportunity and a chance to be involved with the upcoming 2026 Census – Australia on 11 August.

We’re looking for people with experience working in the homelessness sector or with lived experience with homelessness, to be a Community Field Officer.

You’ll assist diverse population groups including people experiencing homelessness to be counted in the Census.

Find out more and apply now at census.abs.gov.au/jobs

22/05/2026

“We welcome continued investment in social and affordable housing in today’s State Budget, with a commitment of $900m over four years. In such a tight fiscal position, it is essential that no housing and homelessness services are cut. We are relieved to see the Tasmanian Government identify the State’s dire housing situation as an area of high priority that cannot afford any reduction.” Shelter Tas CEO, Pattie Chugg.

Yesterday, Treasurer, the Hon Eric Abetz MP, handed down the 2026/27 Tasmanian Budget. While it was pleasing to see some of our member services receive additional funds, it is essential that there is sustained and targeted investment for the sector into the future.

🏡 Read Shelter Tas' full Budget response here:

13/05/2026

Thanks to National Shelter for the informative summary of relevant housing and reform announcements in last night's Federal Budget. You can read all the details here -

The Federal Government’s announced reforms to Capital Gains Tax and negative gearing represent the most significant shift in housing policy in a generation, helping to rebalance incentives toward new supply while maintaining stability for existing investors and first homebuyers. From 1 July 2027, ...

29/04/2026

Help this important campaign reach 1,000 signatures before the end of April!

Shelter Tas is part of the Coalition of Community Service Peaks campaign, urging the Government to deliver increased funding and long-term investment to protect the wellbeing of all Tasmanians.

Please show your support by signing an open letter to the Premier and Treasurer, and sharing with your networks and on social media. Every signature counts - please join us!

🔗https://tinyurl.com/5b62aar5

Coalition of Community Service Peaks calls on the Government to Prioritise all Tasmanians