Wollongong City Council will mark National Homelessness Week with a free screening of an award-winning, locally produced short film that aims to shift perceptions and challenge the stigma surrounding homelessness and those who experience it.
National Homelessness Week will be held from August 4-10 with the aim of raising awareness and promoting collaboration among organisations working to address homelessness and housing stress in our communities.
Directed by Screen Illawarra vice-chair Sharon Lewis, Frances has won numerous international accolades and acclaim for its exploration of homelessness and the "alarming reality" that it can happen to anyone, regardless of background or life experience.
"As a filmmaker, I was compelled to tell Frances' story because it highlights a critical issue that is often ignored, the fact that the housing crisis does not discriminate,' Sharon says.
"Frances' struggle is universal, and her story serves as a mirror reflecting the vulnerability that exists within all of us. By following her journey, I wanted to break down the stereotypes that so often accompany discussions of homelessness. It's not just about losing a home; it's about losing a sense of security, identity, and sometimes, hope."
Ms Lewis will attend the screening of the film at Wollongong Library on 6 August alongside Wollongong Homeless Hub and Housing Services (WHH&HS) Support Services Manager Megan Arthur, with both to take part in a Q&A discussion post-screening.
It aligns with Council's commitment to working with community organisations and service providers to tackle homelessness and to connect people experiencing housing insecurity with support services that are available.
To coincide with National Homelessness Week, Council has worked with various service providers and organisations, as well as people with lived experience of housing instability, to develop a Homelessness Info Card. Each card carries information to connect those sleeping rough, or community members and organisations keen to provide assistance, with the right support services across the Wollongong Local Government Area.
Wollongong City Libraries are playing a vital role in Council's efforts to support community wellbeing. Library branches and services offer welcoming spaces where people can connect with others, escape extreme weather, access computers, and charge devices.
As part of a broader collaboration, library staff are extending their outreach by attending morning teas at the Wollongong Homeless Hub on the first Tuesday of each month. These visits help build relationships and connect people with library services and other forms of support available through Council.
Council will also take part in the Homelessness Week Services Expo on Monday, 4 August (10:30am-2:30pm) at Lighthouse Church, located next to Wollongong Train Station. The Expo brings together local support services and community members seeking assistance, creating opportunities for connection and collaboration. The event is supported by the Rough Sleepers Working Group, co-chaired by the Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ) and WHH&HS, with Council actively involved in the group's ongoing work to address homelessness across the region.
"Housing instability is a major issue for members of our community and, as initiatives like Homelessness Week remind us, it does not discriminate," Lord Mayor of Wollongong Councillor Tania Brown said.
"The reasons individuals or families may experience homelessness are complex and varied and it really can happen to anyone. There is no one-size-fits-all approach to tackling this issue, which is why it's so important that we collaborate and draw on the expertise of the many great organisations working in this sector.
"We can't provide all the solutions, but we can work with these agencies to connect some of our more vulnerable community members to support services on offer to help them overcome the obstacles insecure housing can place in front of them. We can also play a part in educating people about homelessness and ensure it's a problem we approach as a community with empathy and kindness."
The free screening of Frances on 6 August is open to the public. Bookings via Eventbrite
