Sleep Under the Stars
Spend a night under the stars to help fight youth homelessness in Australia.
Overview
Sydney's made headlines as one of the world's most liveable cities, but it's also one of the world's most expensive cities, and it's battling a homelessness crisis. Rough sleeping rose by 24 percent in 2025, and according to the ABS, almost half of Australia's homeless are aged 24 or under. Enter Sleep Under the Stars, the annual initiative by Stepping Stone House to raise awareness and funds to help fight youth homelessness across the country.
In 2025, Sydneysiders can register to spend a night sleeping rough in Barangaroo's Stargazer lawn with the goal of raising $1 million for Stepping Stone House, money that will in turn go towards safe homes, education and life-changing support to young people at risk of or experiencing homelessness.
Participants are encouraged to raise money on their team ahead of the night, but come 4pm on Friday, October 24, all registrants will head to the lawn for the night. There'll be a welcome to country, live music, games, food, drinks, stargazing, and all the supplies you and your crew will need to build a shelter for the night.
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In 2023-24, almost half (49 percent) of everyone supported by NSW Specialist Homelessness Services was under 24. Nearly two-thirds (65 percent) of those seeking help in NSW were female, and more than 13,000 young people in Sydney presented alone at homelessness services last year.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people account for around one in three young people seeking homelessness support, with more than half of all Aboriginal clients accessing Specialist Homelessness Services (SHS) aged under 25.
Jason Juretic, CEO, Stepping Stone House, says, "We often think of youth homelessness as something that only happens in big global cities like London or New York, but the reality is it's unfolding right here in our own backyard. And it's not just happening to strangers, it's touching people we all know. It could be a mate, a colleague, or even the kids your children go to school with, forced to find shelter wherever they can."
"People don't always associate couch surfing with homelessness, but that's exactly what it is. Just because it isn't happening on the street doesn't make it any less devastating, and the ramifications on a young person's health, education and future are huge."
If you'd like to sign up, visit the website, but if you can't attend, you can still make a donation online.
