Syndey is facing a “homelessness tsunami” as the country battles a cost-of-living crisis. Scattered throughout Sydney’s most affluent suburbs are makeshift homes set up on foothpaths, often next to empty buildings.
And as rents continue to climb, an increasing number of people are just one rent rise away from homelessness, experts warn.
Encampments like the one on Orwell St are part of a growing trend of homelessness and housing insecurity spurred on by growing rents, rising cost of living, and a crisis in the availability of temporary housing in NSW. An influx of more people needing help has increased pressure on community programs that offer food and care.
According to the most recent data, the number of people rough sleeping in NSW is growing. Figures from the 2023 NSW street count recorded 1623 people sleeping rough between February 2 to 27, 2023 – a 34 per cent year-on-year increase.
The City of Sydney local government area reported the third highest increase in figures, with numbers increasing by 23 per cent from 225 to 277.
The NSW government’s plan to combat the issue is widespread high-rise rezoning. Under the plan, six-storey blocks will be allowed within 400m of more than 30 of the city’s train stations.
