We recently marked Homelessness Week, providing an important opportunity to recognise the people experiencing homelessness across New South Wales and the organisations and volunteers working tirelessly to support them.
I used the occasion to speak in Parliament about the growing homelessness crisis in our State. Homelessness is often misunderstood as simply sleeping rough, but it takes many forms. It includes families living in overcrowded accommodation, young people couch surfing, older people sleeping in cars and, tragically, women and children forced to leave their homes to escape domestic violence.
The numbers are deeply concerning. More than 35,000 people across NSW experience homelessness, while the number of people sleeping rough has increased by 42 per cent since 2023. More than 68,000 households are waiting for social housing, including more than 12,000 households on the priority list because they are already homeless or at immediate risk.
These figures should concern all of us.
I was pleased to attend the 13th annual Hills Winter Sleep Out at Bella Vista Farm. More than 100 people came together to spend a night outdoors, raising awareness and funds to support local people experiencing homelessness or housing insecurity. This year’s event raised approximately $55,000 for Hills Community Aid.
Over the last year, fundraising provided direct assistance to 129 local people through Hills Community Aid. The generosity of our community is extraordinary, but charities and volunteers cannot carry this burden alone. We need greater investment in crisis accommodation, social and affordable housing, and frontline homelessness services, particularly for women and children escaping domestic violence. Everyone deserves a safe place to call home.
Authorised by Mark Hodges MP. Funded using parliamentary entitlements.