A moment to remember those we have lost
Each year in Australia, people die from homelessness. They die on streets, in parks, in cars and in temporary shelters, in circumstances that a compassionate and wealthy country like ours should not permit.
They die without a formal moment of recognition. Without names recorded. Without a community gathered to remember them.
In 2026, Havelock Housing is changing that.
The inaugural Havelock Memorial Vigil to Canberra’s Homeless is a simple, dignified gathering to mark the opening of national Homelessness Week 2026. It is a moment for our community to come together in remembrance of those we have lost to homelessness, and in solidarity with those still living rough in Canberra each night.
Event details
Date: Monday 3 August 2026
Arrival: 5.30pm for a 6pm start
Location: Havelock House, 85 Northbourne Avenue, Turner ACT
Duration: Approximately 60 minutes
Parking is available in the main car park on McKay Street and surrounding streets. The event will take place at the front of Havelock House.
Light refreshments will be served following the vigil. All are welcome.
What to expect on the night
The vigil has been designed to be deliberately simple and meaningful. The evening will include:
- A candle lighting ceremony
- Short addresses from Havelock CEO Kylie Maidens, Board Chair Carol Croce, ACT Shelter CEO Corinne Dobson and community voices including those with lived experience of homelessness
- A moment of collective reflection
- A minute’s silence in remembrance of those we have lost
Homelessness in Canberra
Homelessness is not invisible in Canberra, even when it can feel that way.
According to the 2021 Census, around 882 Canberrans were living in improvised dwellings, tents or sleeping out on any given night. A further 447 people were living in severely overcrowded conditions. Approximately 60% of the ACT’s homeless population is male, and young people aged 19 to 24 are among the most likely to experience homelessness in the territory.
The overall rate of homelessness across the ACT sits at 39 people per 10,000. While that sits below the national average, the demand for emergency housing and frontline services across Canberra remains persistently high.
These are not statistics. They are people. And they deserve to be remembered.
About Homelessness Week
The Havelock Memorial Vigil to Canberra’s Homeless takes place on the opening night of national Homelessness Week 2026, which runs from Monday 3 August to Sunday 9 August.
Hosted by Homelessness Australia every year, Homelessness Week aims to build community support and government commitment to ending homelessness across the country. In 2026, the national theme is Homelessness Action Now.
Learn more at homelessnessaustralia.org.au
About Havelock Housing
As the oldest and largest frontline community housing provider in Canberra, Havelock Housing has more than 40 years’ experience delivering social, affordable and specialist disability housing across the ACT.
Since 2015, Havelock has supported more than 2,000 individuals experiencing or at risk of homelessness, across a wide range of circumstances including rough sleeping, domestic and family violence, mental health challenges, disability and youth homelessness. Today, Havelock manages 406 active tenancies providing stable and affordable housing to residents across the territory.
Havelock’s services are built on the belief that safe housing is a fundamental foundation for wellbeing, independence and community connection.