Street-Sleeping Numbers Soar as Housing Crisis Worsens

Published on May 11, 2024

A “heartbreaking” housing crisis is pushing an increasing number of people onto the streets as advocates renew calls for a levy on short-term rentals to fund crucial services. The annual street count, released on May 10, revealed a 25 percent spike in the tally of people sleeping rough in New South Wales (NSW). Officials found 2037 sleeping on the streets during the February headcount, up from 1623 a year earlier. Some of the largest increases were in coastal areas, including a near-80 percent rise in rough sleepers in the Coffs Harbour council region. Homelessness NSW chief executive Dom Rowe called for the state government to introduce a levy of at least 7.5 percent on short-term rental accommodation, similar to a measure Victoria introduced in late 2023....

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