The business owner took out the award in the opinion and comment category for her article Forget 'us' and 'them' - for many, homelessness is just a few steps away.

"I'm thrilled to be a part of a program that recognises the importance of sharing the stories of homelessness in all its forms and complexities," Ms Wundenberg said.

The column explored how no one is immune to homelessness and that while many people are trapped in a lifetime cycle of poverty, many start out in a very different lifestyle.

In the article, she bravely shared her own story of how her family, "went from doing well at life to homeless and temporarily sleeping on my sister in law's sofa in two months."

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The judges for her section included Wendy Touey from The Age, Tom Elliot from 3AW, Emma King from VCOSS and Annie Bracey from the Lived Experience Advisory Group with Launch Housing.

They said said Ms Wundenberg's piece was "enlightening" and were impressed with her grasp on the differences of people experiencing homelessness.

"I'm a passionate advocate for people who don't have a voice or who don't feel like they can be heard," Ms Wundenberg said.

"I would like to thank the Council to Homeless Persons and the Lord Mayor's Charitable Foundation for making these awards possible and supporting my work in this space."