National Homelessness Week may have been observed earlier this month, but many charity organisations near and far are encouraging Australians not to turn a blind eye.

While it may not present in the same way it does in capital cities, homelessness in various forms exists in Temora and surrounds.

Research from the St Vincent De Paul Society indicates that only six per cent of homeless Australians are rough sleepers.

Thirty nine per cent live in severely crowded dwellings, 20 per cent stay in supported accommodation for the homeless, 18 per cent live in boarding houses and 14 per cent couch surfing with other households.

There are community groups based in Temora who support those without a stable roof over their head, or going through a rough patch under the one they have.

The Temora Community Centre, located at 225 Hoskins Street, is a warm and inviting facility that runs initiatives to support locals in need.

In conjunction with the Roundabout Bakery the Community Centre has free bread available to collect every Monday, Tuesday and Thursday.

These are unsold loaves from the day before, and two bags per person can be picked up from 9am.

The Centre also hosts a free community lunch every Thursday held from 12pm until 1:30pm.

The Temora branch of the Salvation Army hosts a free community meal every month, held at their hall on Victoria Street on the third Friday of every month.

The Salvation Army’s Head of Homelessness, Jed Donoghue, said the organisation is seeing increasing numbers of Australians who never imagined they would need homelessness support.

“Rising rents, limited housing and ongoing cost-of-living pressures are pushing more Australians to breaking point,” Dr Donoghue said.

“We’re seeing working people, families, older women and young people seeking homelessness support because they simply can’t afford a safe place to live.”

“Homelessness is about much more than sleeping rough. People are living in cars, couch surfing or staying in overcrowded homes because they have nowhere else to go.

Their 2026 Red Shield Report surveyed more than 4000 people who’ve accessed Salvation Army emergency relief services across Australia.

Of those surveyed 75 per cent said they were experiencing housing stress, and that 37 per cent feared losing their home altogether.

They’ve called for early intervention and homelessness prevention programs, approaches that prioritise permanent housing solutions, greater investment in services to help people sustain long-term housing and increased investment in social and affordable housing.

National President of the St Vincent de Paul Society Mark Gaetani also spoke out last week.

“No one should be turned away when they have nowhere safe to sleep,” Mr Gaetani said.

“Homelessness is not a personal failure; it is a policy failure.

“The theme of this week could not be clearer: Australians want homelessness action now because we overwhelming believe everyone deserves a safe, secure and affordable place to live.”

St Vincent de Paul called for three immediate steps; to treat housing as a human right, expand social and affordable housing and fund specialist homelessness services properly.

Wesley Mission managing director Bay Warburton also weighed in, saying that homelessness is closer to home than many Australians realise.

“One unexpected life event should not mean losing your home, yet one in four Australians tell us they are not confident they could avoid homelessness if life takes an unexpected turn,” Mr Warburton said.

“Homelessness does not begin when someone sleeps rough.”

“It often begins much earlier with a rent increase, a lost job, serious illness, family violence or relationship breakdown.

“More Australians now recognise homelessness is not about blame. It can happen to almost anyone when life circumstances change.”

If you or somebody you know needs support, you can contact Temora Community Centre on 6978 0500, the Salvation Army on 13 72 58, St Vincent de Paul on 13 18 12 or the Wesley Mission on 9263 5555.