The Sunshine Coast Business Council (SCBC) is rallying the region’s business community to participate in the 2025 Vinnies CEO Sleepout.
Each year, the St Vincent de Paul Society event sees business and community leaders across Australia sleep rough for one of the coldest nights of the year to raise awareness and funds for homelessness.
In the last 12 months alone, more than 44,000 Sunshine Coast locals accessed Vinnies services, an alarming increase of nearly 10 per cent from just two years ago.
The SCBC team, participating in its 11th Sleepout, has already secured the local support of six prominent business leaders ahead of this year’s CEO Sleepout at Maroochydore Beach on Thursday 19 June, united by a powerful mission to support rising homelessness across the Sunshine Coast.
Led by SCBC Board Member and Habitance Architects director Alex Hoffmann, the team so far also includes representatives from Covey Associates, Stockland, Fresh PR & Marketing, Walker Corporation and Novotel Sunshine Coast Resort — each with an individual fundraising target of $5,000.
Now they’re calling for greater support, with Mr Hoffmann urging local CEOs, executives and business owners to join the team on the beach.
“We know the Sunshine Coast is one of the fastest-growing regions in the country, but with that growth comes mounting pressure on housing and support services,” Mr Hoffmann said.
“Sleeping rough for just one night — with just a sleeping bag, a sheet of cardboard, a cup of soup — offers a small glimpse into the harsh reality thousands face every night.
“This will be my second Sleepout, and every time I’m reminded how easy it is to take a warm bed and a safe place for granted.
“With the housing crisis escalating across the Sunshine Coast, this is one small but powerful way we can show our support, and we encourage other local business owners and leaders to get involved.”
Official data indicates at least 122,000 Australians are homeless, including more than 1200 people on the Sunshine Coast, though it’s suspected the actual number is much higher.
Funds raised from the Sunshine Coast event will stay in the region and directly support people experiencing or at risk of homelessness locally.
Vinnies Sunshine Coast President Beryl says the rising cost of living and a critical shortage of affordable housing are putting incredible strain on households across our community.
“We’re seeing a heartbreaking increase in the number of families, older women, and young people reaching out for help,” she said.
“Sunshine Coast residents are struggling to keep a roof over their heads, with average rents increasing by 6.3 per cent in 2024 — rising as high as 23.7 per cent in Noosa Heads — and a rental vacancy rate of just 0.9 per cent.
“It’s an unfortunate reality that affects everyday people from all walks of life — most of whom never imagined they’d find themselves in crisis.”
The CEO Sleepout is a critical fundraiser for homelessness across Australia, raising more than $8.2 million nationally in 2024, including $110,000 from the Sunshine Coast event.
Every dollar raised goes towards crisis accommodation, food and vital support through Vinnies’ services that directly support individuals experiencing or at risk of homelessness.
If you can, donate to the SCBC team via the official Vinnies CEO Sleepout website: www.ceosleepout.org.au/fundraisers/scbc2025.
