INTERNATIONAL DAYGENERAL

World Homeless Day

World Homeless Day draws attention to the needs of people experiencing homelessness and to the community action that ends it. October 10 is a day to see our neighbors, honor their dignity, and act locally.

OCT10

Saturday, October 10Every year on October 10

days to go

Roots: First held on October 10, 2010, growing out of online discussions among aid workers.
Also on Oct 10: World Hospice and Palliative Care Day · International African Penguin Awareness Day · International Stage Management Day
Hashtag: #WorldHomelessDay

Add to my calendar Send a card Email a friend

Apple or Outlook calendar

3 ways to celebrate

AT HOME

Gather supplies

Clean out your linen closet and call a shelter to arrange a drop-off of blankets, towels, or new toiletries they can use.

WITH FRIENDS

Serve together

Organize a group volunteer day at a local meal program, or pool funds for a shared donation to a shelter.

AT WORK OR SCHOOL

Rally your community

Hold a workplace collection drive for new socks and hygiene kits, or invite a shelter worker to speak about local needs.

Plan ahead

World Homeless Day is observed on October 10 every year. Here is where it lands for the next ten years, handy for planners, marketers and party people.

2026Sat, Oct 10this year

2027Sun, Oct 10

2028Tue, Oct 10

2029Wed, Oct 10

2030Thu, Oct 10

2031Fri, Oct 10

2032Sun, Oct 10

2033Mon, Oct 10

2034Tue, Oct 10

2035Wed, Oct 10

2036Fri, Oct 10

Add to my calendar (repeats yearly)

Fast facts

Recognized in over 100 countries on every continent.

For women, domestic violence is a leading cause of homelessness.

The story

The first World Homeless Day took place on 10.10.10. The idea grew from online conversations among aid workers in many countries who wanted one shared day to draw attention to the needs of people experiencing homelessness in their own communities.

Read the full story

The day's slogan is 'think globally, act locally.' Communities respond in their own way: shelters and summits, fundraisers, survival-kit drives, and faith gatherings that offer food, supplies, and prayer for people experiencing homelessness.

October 10 is also World Mental Health Day, a fitting overlap given the close link between homelessness and mental health. The day asks us to meet people experiencing homelessness with compassion rather than judgment, and to press for the housing, funding, and policies that end homelessness for good.