6 August 2026
During national Homelessness Week, Her Excellency the Honourable Caroline Wells, Governor of Tasmania, has been pleased to support organisations who assist Tasmanians experiencing homelessness though donations of nutritious meals.
Homelessness Week aims to raise awareness about the causes and impacts of homelessness and to educate the community on how they can help make a difference.
In Tasmania, the number of people experiencing homelessness has increased at each Census over the past 20 years, with 2,350 Tasmanians homeless at the most recent Census in 2021.
Homelessness affects people of all ages in all regions of the State, and people can become homeless for many reasons including loss of income or employment, lack of affordable housing, illness, and family and domestic violence.
Tasmanian organisations such as Hobart City Mission and the St Vincent de Paul Society Tasmania undertake vital work to support members of our community who are experiencing homelessness, including providing emergency accommodation and free nutritious meals to those in need.
This week, Her Excellency and Dr Rob Walters RFD have met with representatives from these organisations and provided them with a donation of 500 meals prepared by the Government House Kitchen team.
Including servings of chicken and pork roast dinners, vegetarian fried rice, pumpkin soup and semolina pudding with poached plums, the meals will be now distributed to clients accessing Hobart City Mission and St Vincent de Paul services.
Homelessness Week takes place from 3-9 August, and more information is available at the Homelessness Australia website. The Hobart City Mission website and St Vincent de Paul Society Tasmania website also provide information about the services they offer to Tasmanians experiencing homelessness.
