Winter Appeal for Homeless

Today is the first day of winter – when daily life becomes even colder and more unbearable for the dozens of children across Hobart who will wake up in cars this morning. 

These are children who are completing homework in the back of their family car each night, then waking up cold each morning, without a warm shower, and unsure how they’re going to get to school. 

It’s a devastating and all-too-common story, and one that has been shared by Hobart City Mission as it kicks off its 2026 Winter Appeal – the state’s biggest – on the first day of winter. 

“For most people, a car is how you get to work or school. For some Tasmanian families this winter, it becomes their bedroom,” new Hobart City Mission chief executive Adrienne Picone said. 

“This winter, we want the community to understand the hidden reality facing some local families and how, together, we can help keep children safe, supported and with their families.” 

Ms Picone said the annual appeal aimed to raise funds for Hobart City Mission’s range of projects, which do not receive government funding, but are instead 100 per cent financed through donor support. 

These include DIY Dads, the only Australian program helping homeless fathers stay housed with their children. 

Right now, more than 37 families – including 58 children – are waiting for support through the DIY Dads program. 

“That means 58 children who are getting ready in the back of their car, not knowing where they are going to sleep that night,” Ms Picone said.

Launching the appeal in Hobart City Mission’s Safe Night Space Shelter, family services manager Hanna Richardson said the venue provided beds for 35 people each night. 

She said the service was “constantly” turning people away due to lack of space. 

Ms Richardson said while they tried to help those people find a safe bed too, sometimes they would also resort to sleeping in a car or a couch. 

“If people can’t stay here, we work with other services to see how we can support them to access somewhere safe to sleep for the night,” she said. 

As part of the Winter Appeal launch, Hobart City Mission shared the story of “John”, a Tasmanian dad who was helped through the DIY Dads program after losing his sight suddenly through glaucoma and becoming homeless with his children. 

John said his story was “a living nightmare”. 

The day John and his children moved into their new home, he said it was “like Christmas”. 

“Having your own kitchen, your own bathroom, you know where everything is. Oh, I was over the moon,” he said.