STATISTICS from a Salvation Army survey revealed more than 60 per cent of their clients Australia-wide suffer extreme housing stress.
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The National Economic and Social Impact Survey (ESIS) found children were hugely impacted by a rise in every day cost of living.
Port Macquarie's Salvation Army major Brett Gallagher agreed many key points of the survey reflected local clients' needs.
He said housing across the Hastings was their biggest challenge.
"There is about a 15 year waiting list for public housing so our clients just have to do the best they can," he said.
Mr Gallagher revealed many clients lived rough, couch surfed and lived in their cars.
"A homeless fellow who lives in his car in Port Macquarie often comes to use our showers, we help him with food and sometimes if he hasn't found a safe place to park for the night we let him park in our car park," he said.
Food assistance, basic needs like clothing and referrals to outside services are a few of the avenues Salvation Army provide.
Mr Gallagher highlighted the other end of the spectrum where clients were finding their rent had become too expensive for their budget.
"Sometimes they are forced to take private housing which can be expensive, so these are the guys trying to live off $15-$20 per day after bills.
"When we look at their expenses they aren't being extravagant, they just can't afford basic necessities," he said.
The Australia-wide survey found 86 per cent of clients reported deprivation and went without five or more basic items, for instance medical treatment, or three meals per day.
"We are increasingly seeing people using our service who've never had to seek assistance previously and are embarrassed about it," he said.
Other key issues found in the survey saw family violence as the leading cause of house transiency; 40 per cent of clients surveyed moved house three times in 12 months.
Twenty per cent could not afford treatment or medicines prescribed for their child.
"For our clients its about putting food on the table before medicine or trips to the dentists. When the family budget is already too tight, what do you do?" he said.