HELPING THE HOMELESS DURING SUMMER
Dignity is a human right
For homeless people, summer means more than just heat - they face life threatening risks every night.
As temperatures soar during summer, unsheltered homeless people face deadly heat, mosquitoes, and infection risks.
How Does Summer Affect Homeless People in Australia?
Summer in Australia brings extreme heat that poses serious health risks to people experiencing homelessness. While winter homelessness receives more attention, summer temperatures regularly exceed 35-40°C, creating life-threatening conditions for those sleeping rough without access to shelter, shade, or cooling.
What Are the Dangers of Being Homeless in Summer?
People experiencing homelessness face severe health dangers and Heat-Related Health Risks during Australian summers:
4 core problems on summer streets
Unsheltered people without shelter face problems with extreme heat, UV exposure, increased visability and issues with insects and bugs.
| Extreme Heat | UV Exposure | Increased Visibility | Insects and Bugs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Problem: Concrete and asphalt radiate heat all night. Without shade or shelter, rough sleepers face dangerous overheating. | Problem: Sleeping outdoors means 24/7 sun exposure. Skin damage and heat stroke risks increase dramatically in summer. | Problem: Warmer weather means more people outdoors, seeing homelessness clearly. This visibility can lead to harassment and safety risks. | Problem: Mosquitos, midges, and spiders attack unprotected sleepers. Simple bites can become serious skin infections. |
Why Is Summer Homelessness Often Overlooked?
Many Australians associate homelessness support with winter months, leading to a significant drop in donations and public awareness during summer. This "seasonal giving gap" means that while the need remains critical, resources often decrease precisely when extreme heat makes conditions most dangerous.
How Can You Help Homeless People During Summer?
Many Australians associate homelessness support with winter months, leading to a significant drop in donations and public awareness during summer. This "seasonal giving gap" means that while the need remains critical, resources often decrease precisely when extreme heat makes conditions most dangerous.
What the Backpack Bed provides in Summer
Unlike seasonal support programs, our Backpack Bed provides consistent, portable shelter that adapts to Australia's extreme weather conditions. Every donated Backpack Bed means someone has safe, mobile protection whether temperatures drop below zero or soar above 40°C.
Your donation to Backpack Bed for Homeless provides year-round emergency shelter solutions that protect against both winter cold and summer heat. The Backpack Bed (portable emergency bed) offers:
Frequently Asked Questions
Both seasons present life-threatening dangers. While winter receives more attention, summer's extreme heat, dehydration risks, and sun exposure create equally serious health emergencies.
Access to water, shade, sun protection, and portable shelter that provides relief from heat and hot ground surfaces are critical summer needs.
Yes. The Backpack Bed emergency shelter provides insulation from hot ground surfaces and weather-resistant protection year-round, making them essential for both summer and winter conditions.
Donating to organizations like Backpack Bed for Homeless that provide year-round support ensures vulnerable Australians have protection during extreme heat when donations typically decline.
Backpack Beds: Complete Year Round Protection
Engineered specifically for Australian conditions - providing enclosed shelter, pest barriers, and dignity,
Supporting homeless Australians during summer ensures:
- Continuous protection during extreme weather events
- Life-saving resources when public attention fades
- Vulnerable people aren't forgotten during holiday seasons
- Consistent support that matches the year-round reality of homelessness
Lightweight 3.1 KG
Street tough material
Full Body Protection
4 season summer & winter
Fire Retardant
Fabric + Mattress 190cm x 55cm
Water & Wind Proof
Protects against winter chills
Full Body Mosquito Net
Stops insect bites - less wounds
Ergonomic Backpack
Adjustable hip, shoulder & chest
Storage Pockets
4 pockets - store over 20kg
Storage Capacity
135 Litres - for bedding & belongings
Backpack Beds (swags) SAVE LIVES
Backpack Bed for Homeless partners with homeless services across Australia to distribute our study proven Backpack Beds & Fire Retardant Sleeping Bags to street sleeping homeless without shelter. This includes working with parter homeless services like The Salvation Army, St Vincent de Paul, Orange Sky plus many more.
You can make a difference this summer - Donate today
Our program is not government funded. However, the sad reality is - the only barrier stopping us from handing more Backpack Beds to folks you see on the street - is your powerful donation.
How your donated Backpack Bed makes a difference
