A wave of origami houses is being created to raise homelessness awareness, with community members invited to get involved as Hume marks Homelessness Week from Monday 3 to Sunday 9 August 2026.
Throughout the week, Hume Libraries will have origami paper and folding instructions for visitors to take part in self-guided sessions. Residents can drop in any time to craft, reflect on the issue of homelessness, and learn more about how they can help.
It was estimated there were more than 1,100 people experiencing homelessness in Hume City at the most recent census, with the number of people without safe or secure housing continuing to grow across Victoria.
As housing insecurity rises across communities, Hume is one of ten council areas to receive funding from the State Government to deliver homeless outreach services, including additional emergency accommodation, health and social care.
Homelessness Week is a time to raise awareness of the realities faced by people experiencing homelessness and to advocate for change.
The Homelessness Week 2026 theme is “Homelessness Action Now”, calling for the urgent need to highlight and act on solutions to the homelessness crisis.
Origami folding at Hume Libraries is part of the wider Houses at Parliament campaign, which aims to fold 60,000 origami houses during Homelessness Week.
The houses symbolise the level of demand for affordable housing in Victoria, with more than 30,000 Victorians lacking a safe place to call home on any given night. It also sends a visible message to governments about the need to address the housing crisis and end homelessness.
To help us reach the goal of 60,000 origami houses, simply visit a library in Hume, take part in the activity, and learn more about homelessness from helpful Hume Libraries staff.
Details on where to find an origami session can be found at hume.vic.gov.au/Origami-Sessions.
To learn more about local homelessness resources visit hume.vic.gov.au/Homelessness.
