Signs of Hope on the Edge: A reflection on the 2025-26 ACBC Social Justice Statement

Signs of Hope on the Edge: Serving Homeless People with Mental Ill Health

Australia is facing a deepening crisis. Between 2022 and 2023, over 273,000 people sought help from homelessness services, with one in three also living with poor mental health. Services are overwhelmed, leaving too many without shelter, care, or hope.

The 2025–2026 Australian Catholic Bishops Conference Social Justice Statement, Signs of Hope on the Edge, calls us to see, listen to, and walk alongside those on the margins. We are challenged to move beyond charity into action; recognising the name, dignity, and story of every person, building relationships rooted in solidarity and turning reflection into reaction.

Through real-life stories, Michael’s journey of recovery after years on the streets, Sally’s struggle for human connection in a depersonalised health system, Carol’s experience of homelessness at 67, and Luis’ quiet endurance of loneliness, we witness the human element of homelessness and mental illness. These accounts underscore the urgent need for affordable housing, integrated mental health services, stronger community supports, and systemic reform.

On Saturday, September 27th, the Justice and Peace Office will discuss, reflect, and act through:

• First-hand voices from people with lived experience of homelessness and experiences of poor mental health.

• Scenario-based activities inspired by the Statement’s reflection questions, invite participants into real-life situations and explore real-life solutions.

• Table Talks to unpack the Bishops’ call for encounter, identify gaps in current responses, and co-create solutions.

• Action mapping to guide parishes, schools, and community in committing to tangible local advocacy and outcomes.

• Take away resources that prompt discussion, education, and guidance to move beyond the day.

As Pope Francis reminds us in this Jubilee Year, we are all Pilgrims of Hope. This gathering will be both a space for listening and a catalyst for collective action, ensuring that those on the edge are not merely noticed or befriended but rather listened to, advocated for, and accompanied towards dignity and hope.