Number of rough sleepers up 55 per cent as Australia grapples with a worsening housing crisis

A worsening housing crisis and skyrocketing rents has seen the number of people sleeping rough increase by 55 per cent since 2020 in NSW.

The Community Housing Industry Association NSW revealed more households across the state had been hit by the housing crisis, forcing people to live on the streets.

NSW homelessness street count numbers showed there were now more than 2000 people sleeping rough.

CHIA NSW chief executive officer Mark Degotardi said skyrocketing rental prices were placing more households into housing stress.

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The Community Housing Industry Association NSW found the number of people sleeping rough had increased by 55 per cent since 2020. NewsWire / Jeremy Piper Credit: News Corp Australia

“When people can no longer afford these cost increases, unfortunately many are ending up as rough sleepers because they have no other alternative,” he said.

“We really need to see the Minns government step up and put significant funding in the upcoming state budget to go towards building more social and affordable homes.”

CHIA NSW also found a jump in the number of people seeking priority social housing, which had increased 19 per cent in the past year to March.

Tents set up by homeless people in Brisbane. NewsWire / Dan Peled Credit: News Corp Australia

More than 8650 families and individuals had applied for priority housing between March 2023 and 2024.

“The priority housing waitlist is for people who are at imminent risk of homelessness but there’s nowhere near enough homes available to get people into,” Mr Degotardi said.

“On top of that, there’s a waiting list of almost 58,000 for social housing. Many people are languishing for more than a decade in some suburbs and regions.

“The not-for-profit community housing industry is ready to work with all levels of government to deliver housing solutions to get rough sleepers off the streets and vulnerable people into priority housing.

Everyday Australians have been hit so hard by the cost-of-living pressures that homelessness is rising. NewsWire / Jeremy Piper Credit: News Corp Australia

“Community housing providers have projects that are ready to roll but need the funding to get them started.

“The state budget on June 18 will be a critical one for the Minns government to show that it is serious about doing something to fix the housing crisis in NSW.

“The time for incremental reform and small budget allocations is over. A housing crisis needs a crisis response.

“Vulnerable families look to the June 18 budget with hope.

“We look to the NSW government to provide that hope with a sustained and significant funding package for social and affordable housing.”

The Premier’s office has been contacted for comment.