Rough sleeping in New South Wales has surged by 51% in the past four years amid historically low rental vacancy rates, according to The Australian Homelessness Monitor 2024 released today.
The report produced by the University of New South Wales and the University of Queensland, supported by Homelessness Australia, found there were 2,041 rough sleepers counted in NSW in 2024, up from 1,353 in 2020.
All of the increase was in regional NSW, with the number of rough sleepers counted in Sydney slightly decreasing from 683 to 574 over the four years
The increase in NSW far outpaces the national trend, where the number of people experiencing rough sleeping rose by a still-concerning 22% in the three years to 2023-24.
The alarming rise coincided with vacancy rates dropping from 3.5 per cent in March 2020 to below 1.5 per cent by late 2021 - a level sustained through mid-2024. This severe shortage has made it increasingly difficult for households to secure affordable rentals, pushing many into homelessness.
The report also found that despite the growing demand for housing, allocations of social housing in NSW have remained relatively stable at around 9,000 lets per year, a figure far from adequate to meet the rising need.
Priority housing allocations have increased from 5,000 in 2019-20 to nearly 6,500 in 2023-24, signaling a focus on at-risk populations. However, the overall shortfall of social housing continues to exacerbate the crisis.
Chris Hartley, Report Author and Research Fellow, UNSW said:
“Our research reveals a system under immense pressure. Despite increased investment in New South Wales, the rising demand for homelessness services and the growing complexity of client needs are overwhelming a sector already stretched to its limits. The findings highlight that housing affordability stress is not just impacting the most vulnerable but is now pushing working Australians into homelessness at alarming rates. Without bold policy changes and sustained investment in social and affordable housing, the situation will only deteriorate.”
Dom Rowe, CEO, Homelessness NSW said:
“These findings highlight the urgent need for action in NSW, where homelessness has risen sharply and services are struggling to meet demand. Prevention is key - we need greater investment in programs that stop people from becoming homeless in the first place. At the same time, the lack of affordable and social housing is leaving thousands stuck in crisis. NSW must prioritise building more social housing and ensure homelessness prevention initiatives are adequately funded to address the root causes of this growing crisis.”
Contact details:
Charlie Moore 0452 606 171
Lauren Ferri: 0422 581 506