Economic instability is changing the public face of homelessness in the Hastings, according to community leaders

Camden Haven Community @3 chair Theo Hazelgrove says economic pressures are changing the face of homelessness across the Hastings.

The community charity group supports families and individuals at risk of homelessness in the local government area.

He says trends in homelessness are changing due to the economy.

"A year or so ago we did have people living in tents and occasionally we have someone living on a bench. We try to help by connecting them to shelter, jobs and support," he said.

"Generally we are seeing homeless people lobbying with someone else, couch surfing or living in a car.

"The biggest change is the economy. You can have someone who has a job in Port Macquarie but lives on the side of the road in a car.

"Occasionally we have whole families who have lost their business and their home, they are now sleeping in a car. They don't know their direction anymore."

Over 73,500 clients were supported by homelessness services in New South Wales as of December 18, 2019, according data collected by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare

There is also an increase of 1,500 clients in the last 12 months and 27 per cent more clients than homelessness services are funded to support.

NSW homelessness services have the highest level of unmet need in Australia with more clients not receiving accommodation who needed it (21,552) than those clients who were provided with accommodation (18,000).

NSW also saw an increase in young people accessing homelessness services with around 19,000 young people aged 15 to 24 requesting support.

Mr Hazelgrove said lack of affordable housing is significantly contributing to homelessness in the Hastings.

"There are so many people losing their jobs, their homes and their businesses due to the way the economy is. We gloss over it because the Hastings is a lovely place with beautiful beaches, but underlying that is homelessness," he said.

"The other problem is the cost of housing because of the cost of rentals. Imagine paying rent which is $350 to $400 per week, it doesn't leave much money to live on for food, children and everyday needs."

Community Housing Industry Association NSW chief executive John McKenna said regional towns are being ignored in debates about housing affordability.

"It's clear when you compare population sizes that communities in regional NSW are in just as desperate need - if not more than - for social and affordable housing than they are in Sydney," said Mr McKenna.

"A combination of lower wages and increasing rents and house price mean that people in regional NSW are doing it tougher than almost anywhere else in Australia, going without many essentials including food just to pay the rent.

"The flow on effect to local economies is huge. The government has said regional infrastructure is a priority, housing is absolutely critical infrastructure that must be funded in all areas of NSW, not just in the city."

Hastings resident Alan Kilminster supervises a free community barbecue for the needy behind Laurieton United Services Club each Wednesday from 4pm.

There are new people finding themselves homeless each week, he claims.

"Probably we are hosting around 25 guests at each barbecue. Although it does vary with some new people coming and others going," he said.

"When you see people who are homeless and living in cars they may not initially appear homeless.

"We try to give people food and try to contact a member of their family to take them in."

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