Vinnies CEO Sleepout continues to highlight the homelessness crisis

Business and community leaders will brave the elements this month as part of the annual Vinnies CEO Sleepout.

2025 marks the 20th anniversary of the Vinnies CEO Sleepout which has raised over $100 million nationally in support of homelessness services operated by the St Vincent de Paul Society.

Demand for support from the Society NSW’s specialist homelessness services continues to be strong with domestic and family violence, housing crisis and rental stress among the leading reasons for people seeking support.

“The funds raised through the Vinnies CEO Sleepout allow our services to respond to people’s immediate needs – whether they are in crisis or through early intervention,” said Yolanda Saiz, St Vincent de Paul Society NSW CEO.

“There are larger structural factors that cause and exacerbate homelessness. We aim to highlight these for participants as part of the experience, along with raising vital funds which enable us to respond to people’s immediate needs.

“It is vital that services are available and have capacity to support people experiencing or at risk of homelessness. We have seen increasing demand for our services meaning that our capacity continues to be stretched.

“The funds raised through the Vinnies CEO Sleepout ensures that we can provide support with crisis accommodation for rough sleepers, refuge for women and children escaping domestic and family violence, as well as meals and referrals people can depend upon through our Vinnies Vans,” said Ms Saiz.

Business Sydney Executive Director Paul Nicolaou is the current leading fundraiser in NSW, followed by Mark Bruzzone (Abergeldie Complex Infrastructure), John Carfi (Ingenia Communities) and Grant Steward (Consep).

Since the first Vinnies CEO Sleepout in 2006, the number of people experiencing homelessness in Australia has risen by 37%. New South Wales accounts for the highest number, with 35,011 people experiencing homelessness. While the latest NSW Statewide Street Count found that 2,192 people are sleeping rough across the state, increasing by 8% over the last 12 months.

“In a country as fortunate as Australia, it is unacceptable to have over 122,000 people experiencing homelessness,” said Peter Houweling, St Vincent de Paul Society NSW State President.

“The Vinnies CEO Sleepout continues to be an important opportunity to raise awareness of homelessness and how we can all take measures to ensure people can access support,” said Mr Houweling.

Business and community leaders in NSW can still register to take part in Vinnies CEO Sleepout events in Sydney, Newcastle and Wollongong on Thursday 19 June at www.ceosleepout.org.au.