Hills Winter Sleep Out 2025
Magi* is 61 and says she owes the fact that she has a roof over her head to Hills Community Aid’s homeless prevention initiative.
She was living in supported housing when a storm damaged the building. “The roof had caved in. I was behind with my rent because I got sick and I had nowhere to go.
I was really scared.”
With help from HCA her rent debt was paid off and a bond was paid for a new home where she says: “I am really happy”.
The HCA homeless initiative is one of the two projects that will receive money raised at this year’s Hills Winter Sleep Out on Saturday, August 2.
The Hills Winter Sleep Out asks people to raise money by giving up their warm beds for one night to sleep at Bella Vista Farm and gain an insight into being homeless.
Hills Shire Mayor Michelle Byrne who set up the first Hills Winter Sleep Out in 2014 said: “The funds raised from the Sleep Out have made an incredible difference in the lives of so many here in the Hills.
People who were one pay cheque away from living in their car or on the streets have been helped, families facing severe financial crisis have been given assistance as well as women and children fleeing family and domestic violence.”
Executive Officer and Program Director of Hills Community Aid Mici Beer said that funds raised and distributed through HCA’s Homeless Prevention Fund have made life-changing differences to people at risk of homelessness.
Support has included help with bonds, rent, council rates/strata, and removalist costs.
Mici says: “Every grant is a chance to stop homelessness before it starts. These funds don’t just pay bills—they protect dignity, restore hope, and keep families together.”
Funds from the Sleepout will also support Transitional Community Housing.
TCH was set up by concerned volunteers who began lobbying for accommodation for older women at risk of homelessness 9 years ago.
They secured their first property 18 months ago in the Hills, the registered charity now has six houses and has provided homes or support to secure housing for 31 people including 12 older women and 18 dependants.
Kenthurst Rotarian and TCH director Dennis Van Someren said: “The Transitional Community Housing project has been our response to the deteriorating homelessness situation facing so many today in Sydney.
“We recognise that women over 55 are the fastest growing cohort of homeless. “Sleepout funds will go straight to the front line as TCH is a volunteer organisation. We subsidise the rent and look after property maintenance.”
To register or donate to the Hills Homeless Sleepout visit https://the-hills-winter-sleep-outaugust- 2025.raiselysite.com/
To find out more about TCH visit www.transitionalcommunityhousing.org.au To find out more about the work of Hills Community Aid visit https://hca.org.au/
(* not her real name)
