Homelessness services in New South Wales are turning away an average of 59 people each day due to overwhelming demand and a lack of available accommodation, new national data has revealed.
Figures released by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) show that 67,824 clients accessed specialist homelessness services across NSW during the 2024–25 financial year. The Capital Region recorded the highest number of clients, followed closely by Sydney City and Inner South and the New England and North West region, which supported 3,444 people.
Despite the breadth of services available, the number of unassisted daily requests rose to 59 per day, up from 57 the previous year. Of those turned away, 38 per cent were rejected because no accommodation was available, the most common reason cited.
Dominique Rowe, Chief Executive of Homelessness NSW, said the data showed a system under immense pressure and unable to meet growing needs.
“Across the state people are being turned away from help in their most desperate time of need. This is a truly heartbreaking and devastating situation,” she said.
“Frontline staff are working extremely hard to help as many people as possible, but the demand is relentless.
“The housing crisis is now so dire that people who have never needed help before – including people with full-time jobs – are seeking help.
“This is a disaster unfolding before our eyes and requires urgent action. The government must boost funding for overwhelmed homelessness services, so more people aren’t forced to sleep on the streets.”
Employment no safeguard against housing stress
The data also revealed a rising proportion of working people are seeking support, with 16 per cent of clients employed, up from 13 per cent in 2018–19. Advocates say this trend highlights the growing disconnect between wages and housing costs, particularly in regional NSW, where rental availability remains tight and affordability continues to deteriorate.
In the New England and North West, the number of people seeking support rivals that of Greater Sydney, despite a much smaller population base. Local service providers have warned they are being stretched beyond capacity, particularly with a rise in rough sleeping and demand for emergency accommodation.
Key statistics from the AIHW report:
- 59 people per day were turned away from NSW homelessness services, on average
- 38 per cent of turnaways were due to no accommodation being available
- 67,824 people accessed services across the state in 2024–25
- 54.3 per cent of clients were already homeless when they first sought support, above the national average of 48.7 per cent
- 3,444 clients were supported in the New England and North West, making it the third-most affected region in NSW
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