Homelessness Action Week (HAW) 2025
Every October, Homelessness Action Week sees communities around the province raise awareness around homelessness by hosting a variety of events to engage the community and support vulnerable community members.
HAW2025 is October 11 – 18 this year in New Westminster. The Community Engagement Working Group and members have been actively working behind the scenes to plan another exciting week! Want to support or get involved in HAW2025? Reach out to us.
Homelessness Action Week is our main event of the year, it provides an opportunity to:
- Raise public awareness and understanding of the causes of homelessness, and the needs of the unhoused population, while challenging stigma toward the unhoused.
- Engage local organizations in planning and developing strategies to address homelessness.
- Advocate for policy and resource changes across all levels of government to address needs and gaps related to homelessness, particularly in the area of shelter and housing, and enhance access to programs, services, and supports.
- Facilitate important social connections and a sense of belonging for the unhoused.
We are currently working behind the scenes to put together another week full of activities.
NEW this year:
Voices in Action: Community Solutions to Homelessness
Date and time: Saturday October 18, 11am-3pm
Location: 502 Columbia Street, New Westminster (formerly Army and Navy)
Voices in Action is the new headline event for Homelessness Action Week. It will bring together people with lived and living experience, advocates and experts in addressing homelessness, local service providers, and community members to explore real solutions to homelessness. The event will feature powerful storytelling from the perspective of lived experience, engaging panel discussions, an interactive advocacy workshop, and opportunities to speak with local non-profits and government about the work they are doing to address the needs of the unhoused population in New Westminster and the larger region.
This event creates space for connection, learning, and collective action. Enjoy Indigenous drumming, local entertainment, interactive activities, prize giveaways, lunch from Dan’s Legacy, and light refreshments. Open to all!
HAW 2025 Will You Be My Neighbour
10 Ways to Be a Good Neighbour Community Challenge
Why Belonging Matters
Belonging is what makes a community more than just a place; it’s what makes it home. It’s the sense of being valued, included, and able to contribute. When people belong, communities are stronger, more resilient, and better able to face challenges together.
But belonging is under threat. In 1986, nearly half of Canadians (47.9%) saw friends on a daily basis. By 2022, the number dropped to one in five (19.3%). Even for those who did connect, the average time spent together declined from 5.0 hours to just 3.8 hours.* Too many people feel disconnected and excluded, weakening the social fabric and leaving communities less connected.
The good news? Belonging can be built.
Homelessness Action Week 2025, October 11 – 18, 2025 the WYBMN we are challenging the community to be a good neighbour and participate in the “10 Ways to Be a Good Neighbour” community challenge.
10 Ways to Be a Good Neighbour Community Challenge
1. Say hello – Introduce yourself or check in.
2. Be kind – Offer a smile or friendly gesture.
3. Lend a hand – Help out or give your time.
4. Share something – Food, a craft, garden goodies, etc.
5. Give a compliment – Let others know you appreciate them.
6. Learn & share – Discover something about local issues or events and talk about it with a neighbour.
7. Support local – Shop at neighbourhood businesses and recommend them.
8. Listen – Take time to hear someone’s story or perspective.
9. Join in – Be part of a clean-up, mural, or neighbourhood project.
10. Speak positively – Share the good things about your neighbourhood.
Take the Challenge from October 11 – 18, 2025, and let us know how it went! You will be entered into a contest for prizes if you complete 3 or more!
To enter the contest visit: https://forms.gle/s42U5824pBNP25cw8
This is what HAW2024 looked like in New Westminster! A big thank you to all the people and organizations that worked with us to plan such a great week!
