Fresh analysis by Homelessness NSW shows the areas of the state suffering increased levels of homelessness, sparking calls to better fund services and build more social housing.
The analysis of newly released Australian Institute of Health and Welfare figures shows the number of people receiving assistance at specialist homelessness services rising across 58 of NSW’s 128 local government areas in 2023.
Inner West, Canterbury-Bankstown, Penrith, Sydney and Wollongong local government areas recorded the largest increases, followed by Walgett, Parramatta, Griffith, Campbelltown and the Central Coast.
|
LGA |
Receiving help in 2021-22 |
Receiving help in 2022-23 |
Increase |
|
Inner West |
1,251 |
1,496 |
245 |
|
Canterbury-Bankstown |
1,877 |
2063 |
186 |
|
Penrith |
2,074 |
2254 |
180 |
|
Sydney |
2,630 |
2777 |
147 |
|
Wollongong |
2,299 |
2438 |
139 |
|
Walgett |
259 |
384 |
125 |
|
Parramatta |
769 |
883 |
114 |
|
Griffith |
749 |
855 |
106 |
|
Campbelltown |
2,168 |
2274 |
106 |
|
Central Coast |
1,910 |
1996 |
86 |
The latest data from NSW Department of Communities and Justice also reveals lengthening waiting times for social housing across most parts of the state. The longest median wait times for people on the general social housing waitlist are currently in Northern NSW, at more than five years, the Illawarra, Sydney, Blue Mountains and Hunter.
“NSW’s housing crisis is putting huge pressure on frontline homelessness services, with many struggling to keep up with rising demand,” said Homelessness NSW CEO Dom Rowe.
“LGAs across metropolitan Sydney and also suburban and rural areas are seeing increased levels of homelessness - showing that plummeting housing affordability is affecting people right across the state.
“Right now, one out of every two people seeking help for homelessness in NSW do not receive it because underfunded services are full.
“It is heartbreaking that women and their children fleeing domestic violence have to choose between staying in a dangerous home or sleeping in a tent or a car because they can’t get the help they need.
“NSW must increase funding for specialist homelessness services, as Queensland has just done with a 20 per cent boost.
“We must also urgently build more social and affordable homes. Right now just one in 20 homes are social housing but we need this to be at least one in 10 by 2050 to slash the 57,000-strong, decade-long waitlist and end NSW’s homelessness crisis.
“The NSW government is moving in the right direction on housing, but much more is needed to protect the women and children trapped in violent homes and people sleeping rough or couch surfing.”
