Report confirms what charity sees every week: more people 'sleeping rough, living in cars'

In 2020, Homelessness NSW counted seven people sleeping rough in the Illawarra Shoalhaven and Southern NSW districts. Six years later, that number is up to 213, a “staggering” 689% increase, says a new report from the peak agency.

It’s small surprise to charity workers on the front line, such as Need a Feed founder Shaz Harrison, who dedicated over a year to fundraising for a food truck to “meet people where they are”.  

“We are seeing more people every week sleeping rough, living in cars, and struggling to keep up with the rising cost of living,” Shaz said this week.

“At Need a Feed, we witness this firsthand, with Shellie the food truck on the road up to four days a week providing food, connection, and support to people doing it tough.”

Big rise in Wollongong

The new report from Homelessness NSW, titled Rough Sleeping is Up: We know what to do, we just need the funding, was released last Friday and calls for urgent extra funding for "overwhelmed" homelessness services.

The number of rough sleepers across NSW grew by 75%, or 989 people, between 2020 and 2026, the report shows. Of the state's regional Local Government Areas, Wollongong had the second highest percentage rise, after Port Macquarie-Hastings.

Wollongong went from 10 to 110, an increase of 1,000%.

“From Bega to Byron Bay, rough sleeping is soaring as more people are left unable to afford the private rental market,” said Homelessness NSW CEO Dominique Rowe. “Some regions which barely had any rough sleeping now have dozens of people without a place to call home. 

“The good news is the solutions are very clear. The NSW Government must fund homelessness services to meet demand and also build enough social housing so people have a pathway to a suitable home.”

Homes NSW, which is part of the Department of Communities and Justice, has two major social housing projects in the pipeline locally, renewal precincts in Gwynneville and Bellambi, and a local development in Southview St, Bulli.

More support for housing and cost-of-living relief is expected in the 2026–27 NSW State Budget later this month.

Call for EOFY donations

Shaz Harrison and her team launched their food truck at Berkeley Neighbourhood Centre in early March, just as the US and Israel's war on Iran started to drive up fuel costs. At the time, centre manager Maria Di Carlo told the Illawarra Flame people were living "cheque by cheque" and in need of basics, such as long-life milk.

Three months later, with higher ​petrol prices still squeezing family budgets, Shaz is appealing to the generosity of Illawarra businesses and individuals ahead of the end of the financial year on June 30.

"As EOFY approaches, a tax-deductible donation can help keep Shellie on the road and ensure we can continue reaching those who need us most," she said.

"Every donation makes a difference.”

To support the charity, visit the Need a Feed website.