Homelessness is a significant and growing issue within in our community
Call Link2Home on 1 800 152 152
This 24-hour phone service can give you information, assessments and refer anyone who is homeless or at risk of homelessness to specialist services, including temporary accommodation and general support.
People sleeping outside is the most obvious form of homelessness, but couch surfing and overcrowded accommodation can also be forms of homelessness.
There are many causes of homelessness. Sometimes it is due to a shortage of stable and affordable housing. Other causes can be family violence, long-term unemployment, family breakdown, mental health challenges and/or use of drugs and alcohol. Often there is more than one cause.
Homelessness Week is a national campaign held in early August each year to raise awareness of people experiencing homelessness, the causes behind it and the role we can all play in ending it.
Coordinated by Homelessness Australia, the week highlights the urgent need for safe and affordable housing for all. This year, the theme is ‘Housing Ends Homelessness’, emphasising the critical role of long-term housing solutions in addressing homelessness across the country.
Why homelessness matters in CBCity
Homelessness is not just a big-city issue. It affects people in every suburb and postcode, including ours.
In Canterbury-Bankstown, we see growing numbers of people at risk of or experiencing homelessness including young people couch-surfing, families living in overcrowded housing and to older residents sleeping rough.
Key local facts
- An estimated 2,695 people are experiencing homelessness in Canterbury-Bankstown, the highest prevalence of homelessness in South Western Sydney compared to other regions. (Crd: phn South Western Sydney)
- According to the 2021 Census, out of 2,695 people who are homeless, 62% of them were men, 38% women and 27.5% were children and young people under 19 years of age (Crd: Homelessness NSW)
- The 2024–2025 Street Count states that there has been a 7.7% increase in rough sleepers within the Canterbury-Bankstown area. (Please note that this data does not necessarily mean there are more rough sleepers compared to last year; it could also mean that during the time the Street Count was conducted, some rough sleepers were hidden and not counted. (Crd: Homelessness NSW))
- Canterbury-Bankstown LGA hosts around 10,500 social housing dwelling, making it the fourth largest LGA for public housing in Australia (behind Brisbane, ACT and Parramatta) (Crd: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare)
Homelessness is a challenge that touches every part of society and that includes communities like ours in Canterbury-Bankstown.
While Canterbury-Bankstown is vibrant, growing and a diverse region, like many parts of Australia, we’re seeing the impacts off rising living costs, limited affordable housing and increasing pressure on support services. These factors mean more people are at risk of housing instability (sometimes through no fault of their own). Luckily, our community also has strength, compassion and a long-standing commitment to supporting each other.
Together, we can:
- Raise awareness and reduce stigma
- Support those doing it tough
- Advocate for long-term, local solutions
The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare says that a person as homeless if they have no accommodation or are living in non-conventional accommodation. This could mean sleeping on the street, living in temporary or emergency housing (including staying with friends or family) or in boarding houses that fall below minimum standards.
There are three types of homelessness:
- Primary homelessness: sleeping rough or in makeshift dwellings.
- Secondary homelessness: having to move between temporary accommodations, including emergency shelters, youth refuges or friends’ homes.
- Tertiary homelessness: living in accommodations that fall below acceptable community standards, such as low-end boarding houses or caravan parks.
Every night in Canterbury-Bankstown we see people who sleep in car parks, shopfronts, parks, train stations, tents or in vehicles. But we don’t see other homeless people who are in temporary accommodation, or inadequate or unstable accommodation.
Council is been working in partnership with the South Western Sydney and Sydney districts of the Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ) and their partners to address homelessness in the region.
We work closely with outreach teams to ensure people sleeping rough get support. We also monitor the number of rough sleepers and hotspot locations within the community. These outreach teams encourage rough sleepers to contact Link2Home, the 24-hour housing support line to help them access temporary housing.
Tell us! If you find someone who has been sleeping rough or is homeless, let us know, so we can offer support. Email council at communitysafety@cbcity.nsw.gov.au (actioned Monday-Friday) and give us:
- A description of the person and any belongings (e.g. a large bag or makeshift shelter)
- Where they were last seen
- When they were last seen
- Any other known locations where they may sleep or spend time
- Where possible, provide photographs of the location (not photographs of people)
This information helps outreach teams find the person and provide the right kind of support.
If you have concerns anyone’s welfare or safety, please call 000.
- Link2Home (NSW 24/7 housing support): 1800 152 152
- St Vincent de Paul Society NSW: 13 18 12
- Mission Australia: 1300 883 067
- Youth Off The Streets: 9790 3406
Government phone service providing support, advice and assessments 24/7 for anyone who is homeless or at risk of homelessness.
From 9am-10pm they can also refer callers to accommodation and support services. They can refer callers to Emergency Services at any time.
Support for young people experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness, offering case management, housing assistance and connections to education, employment and health services.
Drop-in from 9am-5pm Monday to Friday.
bankstown.corps@salvationarmy.org.au
Every Wednesday from 10am-noon
Free morning tea and access to services to help with government benefits, housing, emergency financial assistance, financial planning and more.
24/7 support service for domestic violence, family violence and sexual violence.
info@youthoffthestreets.com.au
Support for young people experiencing homelessness, addiction and neglect. Offers housing, education, outreach and capacity-building programs.
Crisis accommodation for single males aged 25+ for up to three months, with case management. A drop-in HUB is available Monday to Friday, 10am-1pm where individuals can access food, clothing, showers, and connect with local services to learn about the support available to them.
Mayor Bilal El-Hayek is hosting a sleepout at Belmore Sports Ground to help raise funds and awareness of people experiencing, or at risk of, homelessness