Every person who has been displaced has their own unique story and the organisation has released a book to raise awareness of different people's ordeals.

My Connections Home aims to give people a glimpse into these people's lives and how they became homeless.

Local photographers Lee Illfield, Gavin Smith and Alex Parkes donated their services free of charge to capture images to go with the stories.

Some of the photos will be exhibited at the Compass Community Art Space in Hamilton this week in conjunction with Homeless Persons' Week.

Hunter Homeless Connect Day co-ordinator Lucy Andrews said homelessness causes devastating personal harm, significantly impacts on the community and costs the economy.

"Each of the participant's stories reflects the difficulties they faced in trying to find a home . . . something many of us take for granted," she said.

My Connections Home can be ordered at the exhibition with the book's profits to go Hunter Homeless Connect.

■ The Compass Housing Service Art Space exhibition is at 1/44 Beaumont Street, Hamilton, until Friday, August 8.

It is open from 10am to 2pm each day.