NT Shelter

16/10/2026

Three years on, why are young people still unable to go back home?

Three years ago, NT Shelter and the Office of the Children's Commissioner NT launched They Can’t Go Back Home: Young People and Homelessness in Mparntwe (Alice Springs).

Today, we jointly released They Still Can’t Go Back Home: Where Are We Now? in Alice Springs, revisiting the issue and asking an important question: why are we still in this position three years later?

Our CEO, Annie Taylor, spoke at the event about why we are still here three years on and the need for continued action to improve outcomes for young people experiencing homelessness.
We also heard from Bronwyn Haack, Interim Children’s Commissioner, and were pleased to have Mayor Asta Hill, Lord Mayor of Alice Springs Town Council, join us.

The event also featured some fantastic music from local band Alice Kings.
Thank you to everyone who joined us and continues to work towards better outcomes for young people experiencing homelessness.

Read the report in full below:
https://lnkd.in/gFxdE2_p

15/10/2026

Too many Territory families are still searching for the security of a place to call home. Pamela’s words show what that security means: stability for her family and the confidence to plan for the future.
This partnership between the Northern Territory Government, the Australian Government and community housing providers, including Venture Housing Company, is delivering homes that make a real difference in the lives of Territorians like Pamela and Raymond.
More Territory families need that same opportunity.

A place to call home!

Pamela and her son Raymond have recently moved into their new social housing home in Greater Darwin.

"Living here means security for my son and me," Pamela said.

"It's taken a lot of pressure off us with rent and everything like that. It's been so good. This has been an absolute godsend to us."

These homes are being delivered through a partnership between the NT Government, the Australian Government and community housing providers.

Venture Housing Company

13/10/2026

Housing affordability remains a major contributor to the cost of living in the Northern Territory.

This week, the Northern Territory Council of Social Service (NTCOSS) released its report, Cost of Living in the Northern Territory: A Ten-Year Comparison 2016–2026.

Unfortunately, the findings come as little surprise, highlighting the ongoing pressures Territorians face, particularly around housing affordability.

📊 Some of the key findings include:

🏠 The NT continues to have the highest average rents nationally.

📈 Annual social housing applications increased by 37% between 2017 and 2025, while social housing stock increased by just 4% over the same period.

🏡 Between 2016 and 2026, average weekly mortgage repayments across the NT increased by 142%.

NT Shelter CEO Annie Taylor said the report highlights that the Territory's way of life is at risk.

“Our businesses, hospitals, schools, and major projects are running on the efforts of workers who can no longer afford rents. We need a shift in housing supply that matches the scale of need.
Investing in social and affordable housing now will have tangible benefits across health, justice and the economy.”

Read the report in full here:
https://ntcoss.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/NTCOSS_2026_COL_10yr_FINAL.pdf

07/09/2026

Heading to Darwin for the Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute - AHURI National Homelessness Conference 2026?

NT Shelter is pleased to be hosting a series of satellite events alongside this year’s conference, providing an opportunity to connect with the local sector and learn more about housing and homelessness responses in the Northern Territory.

For delegates travelling to Darwin, these events are a great opportunity to make the most of your time in the Territory, meet local organisations and see some of the work happening on the ground.

📍 A range of satellite events will be held around the conference program.

Spaces are limited for some events, so early registration is encouraged.

To register, simply:
🔗 Select the registration link: https://linktr.ee/NTShelterInc
📱 Or scan the QR code on the poster below.

We look forward to welcoming conference delegates to Darwin and sharing more of the NT housing and homelessness sector with you.
Shelter NSW Shelter WA Shelter Tasmania Q Shelter National Shelter ACT Shelter Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute - AHURI

20/08/2026

Over the last fortnight, our Central Australian Regional Coordinator, Violet Kenne has been accompanied by consultant Jon Swain, conducting consultations across Alice Springs to design a set of protocols to support people experiencing homelessness during extreme heat events.

Commissioned by NT Shelter and Anglicare NT, this project seeks to respond to the emerging concerns about how extreme heat events disproportionately impact people experiencing homelessness and inadequate housing.

11/08/2026

📣Tonight is Census Night.

Every Territorian counts.

Being counted helps ensure the Northern Territory's communities, services and housing needs are visible and understood.

If you haven't already, make sure your household is counted tonight.

Everyone counts. Everywhere. 🧡

On Tuesday 11 August 2026, Australia will come together to participate in the 2026 Census conducted by the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

The Census is the only national count that helps estimate how many people are experiencing homelessness in Australia. This information is vital in helping governments and community organisations understand need, plan services and advocate for better housing outcomes.

Census data helps inform the planning and delivery of services including:
🏠 Emergency and crisis accommodation
🧡 Domestic and family violence shelters
🍽️ Fresh meal services
🚿 Mobile laundry and shower facilities
🔑 Housing and homelessness support services
Everyone should be counted, regardless of where they are staying on Census night.

If you're sleeping rough
Community Field Officers will visit locations where people are known to be sleeping rough, including streets, parks, cars and tents. Between 10–16 August 2026, they will help people complete a short Census interview using the Special Short Form.

If you're staying in a refuge, hostel or boarding house
Staff at your accommodation or service provider will provide you with a Census form to complete. If you haven't received one by Tuesday 11 August 2026, call 1800 181 227.

If you're between homes, staying with friends or family, or couch surfing
You can be included on the Census form for the household where you're staying or request your own separate Census form by calling 1800 181 227.

Every response helps build a clearer picture of housing need across Australia, ensuring future decisions are informed by accurate data and that support is directed where it is needed most.

Find out more about the 2026 Census here:
https://lnkd.in/gU3_NKRC

Please share this information across your networks and communities to help ensure everyone understands how to participate in the 2026 Census, because every response matters and everyone deserves to be counted.

11/08/2026

As 2026 concluded on Sunday, NT Shelter reflected on a week of connection, remembrance, conversation and a shared commitment to improving housing outcomes across the Northern Territory.

Throughout the week, our team joined the City of Darwin Community Link Up, bringing together services, organisations and community members who support people experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness.

We were also honoured to attend memorial services in both Alice Springs and Darwin, taking time to remember and acknowledge those who have passed away while experiencing homelessness. These were important and moving moments of reflection and an opportunity to recognise the lives of those who have been lost.

On Saturday evening, we concluded our Homelessness Week activities at Darwin’s Deckchair Cinema with a screening of Common Wealth, followed by a panel discussion reflecting on the experiences and themes highlighted throughout the film.

The discussion brought together Annie Taylor, CEO of NT Shelter; Caitlin Perry, Senior Policy Officer at Northern Territory Council of Social Service; Geoff Radford, CEO of the NT Mental Health Coalition; and Common Wealth director Kane Guglielmi, with the conversation facilitated by NT Shelter’s Mike Byrne.

It was a wonderful evening of film, conversation and reflection, and a fitting way to bring our Homelessness Week activities to a close.

Thank you to everyone who participated in events across the Territory, shared their experiences and contributed to conversations throughout the week.

Homelessness Week may be over, but the work towards ensuring every Territorian has an appropriate, affordable and accessible place to call home continues.

06/08/2026

Yesterday, NT Shelter was pleased to attend Community Link Up 2026 at Casuarina Library as part of 2026.

A big thank you to the City of Darwin for hosting this important community event and bringing together organisations from across the sector to connect people with essential services, practical support and information.

The Northern Territory continues to have the highest rate of homelessness in Australia at 12 times the national average. Homelessness Week provides an important opportunity to raise awareness of the challenges facing our communities and the need for a stronger housing system that supports all Territorians.

There are a range of Homelessness Week events taking place across the Territory. To see what's coming up and find out how you can get involved, visit our website: https://ntshelter.org.au/campaigns/homelessness-week-2026/

04/08/2026

As begins around the country, the NT continues to have the worst rates of homelessness in the nation. We encourage our members and stakeholders to support the Homelessness Week events taking place across Darwin and Alice Springs and help raise awareness throughout the community.

This year's HW comes at a defining moment for the NT: "Building a stronger homelessness system that has the resilience to withstand service closures means investing in enough housing to meet the NT’s needs. If we learn from the challenges of Homelessness Week 2026 and invest in housing solutions, we will reduce homelessness and build a healthier, safer and more resilient Northern Territory."

Read our Media Release below:

https://ntshelter.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/04.08.2026_Homelessness_Week_2026_MR-1.pdf
Mission Australia, Yilli Housing, Aboriginal Housing NT

28/07/2026

As part of Homelessness Week 2026, NT Shelter is partnering with Deckchair Cinema for a special screening of Common Wealth on Saturday 8 August.

The documentary explores the systems that shape modern life, providing a starting point for broader conversations about social wellbeing.

Following the screening, Director Kane Guglielmi, Northern Territory Council of Social Service and NT Shelter will be part of a panel discussion, creating an opportunity for community members, sector partners and interested audiences to engage with issues central to the film.

📍 Deckchair Cinema

🕖 7:00pm

If you would like to purchase tickets, please do so here: