A new report has highlighted significant increases in rough sleeping across NSW, with homelessness advocates warning that services are struggling to keep pace with growing demand.
The report, Rough Sleeping is Up: We know what to do, we just need the funding, released by Homelessness NSW, found the number of people sleeping rough across the state increased from 1,319 in 2020 to 2,308 in 2026 — a rise of 75 per cent.
The largest increase was recorded in the Mid North Coast, New England and Northern NSW district, where 617 more people were counted sleeping rough than in 2020, according to an analysis of street count data.
Illawarra Shoalhaven and Southern NSW recorded the second-largest increase, with an additional 186 people sleeping rough, followed by the Hunter and Central Coast, which recorded an increase of 153 people. Western Sydney and Nepean Blue Mountains was the only district to record a decline.
“From Bega to Byron Bay, rough sleeping is soaring as more people are left unable to afford the private rental market,” Homelessness NSW chief executive Dominique Rowe said.
“Some regions which barely had any rough sleeping now have dozens of people without a place to call home.”
Among local government areas, Port Macquarie-Hastings recorded the largest increase, with 111 more people sleeping rough than in 2020.
Wollongong’s rough sleeping count rose from 10 people to 110, an increase of 1,000 per cent, while Coffs Harbour recorded an increase of 100 people.
The report found that the City of Sydney recorded 50 fewer people sleeping rough in 2026 than the previous year. However, neighbouring Inner West recorded an increase of 38 people and Randwick an increase of nine, largely offsetting the reduction in Sydney’s count.
The report suggests this may indicate some people have moved from the CBD into surrounding suburbs rather than exiting homelessness.
Homelessness services are also facing mounting pressure. The report found unassisted requests for help increased by 92 per cent since 2020–21, reaching 21,530 in 2024–25.
“The good news is the solutions are very clear,” Rowe said.
“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.”
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