The Central Coast is facing a homelessness crisis that frontline workers describe as heartbreaking, dangerous, and out of control – made worse by bureaucratic barriers and lack of government co-ordination.
At Toukley Neighbourhood Centre, staff are witnessing the impact firsthand, with numbers of people seeking help quadrupling this year.
“It’s unbelievable and it’s saddening,” one community support worker said.
“Families, elderly people, people with disabilities – it’s everyone.
“And there’s nowhere for them to go; all the services are full.
“Everyone is saying the same thing; we can’t do anything because there’s nothing left to offer.”
One of the most visible signs of the crisis is the explosion of homeless camps around the region.
Locations including Picnic Point, Summerland Point, The Entrance, The Entrance North, and areas near the beaches have become informal settlements.
In some cases, they resemble entire communities, with dozens of people camped out in tents or makeshift shelters.
“We’ve got little cities of homelessness forming,” the worker said.
“People are clustering in areas where they feel even a small amount of safety — near the water, near services, near places like ours where they know they’ll get food, warmth, or just someone to talk to.”
But these growing camps have also created division in the community.
“The town is split,” they said.
“One half wants to help, and the other half just wants them moved on.
“But moved on to where?
“That’s the reality, there is nowhere for them to go.”
A former Central Coast Police Commander has said it’s only the beginning and says it’s time for leaders at every level to step in.
“We need local government, state government, federal government, all of them to work together,” he said.
“These camps are just the beginning of a bigger problem; The Entrance is deteriorating and crime is heightening in the area.
“Police are under resourced and locals don’t know what to do about the situation and don’t feel safe visiting their local areas.”
“I went down to check out the Picnic Point area and was confronted by a few individuals.
“If a crime is committed then locals need to report it to their local police station.”
The crisis touches all demographics.
“We’ve had young families with babies sleeping in parks; a 75-year-old woman with alcohol issues, living in a tent,” the community worker said.
“Another disabled woman in her 70s and people who’ve had businesses, homes, and lives are out on the street.”
Another support worker pointed out some families are so afraid of being separated that they avoid reaching out for help altogether.
“There are parents who’ve given their kids away temporarily just so the children can have shelter and it’s heartbreaking,” they said.
“It’s impacting those children’s mental health and it’s breaking families down.”
Services which once provided emergency shelter like refuges and transitional housing are now overwhelmed.
“There’s nothing available and yes there’s a mothers and kids’ refuge and there’s a men’s refuge, but what about families together?” the worker said.
“We’re pulling families apart because we don’t have anywhere to house them.”
One woman escaping a domestic violence situation was sent to hospital, but once discharged, she couldn’t return home.
Staff at the Toukley Neighbourhood Centre took it upon themselves to act.
“There were no other services that could help her, so we used our own resources to get her off the Coast and to a safer place,” the worker said.
“She’s now rebuilding her life and hoping to secure housing in Cairns.
“That was a good outcome, but that was just one person and we can’t do this for everyone.”
The worker said the biggest obstacle to finding temporary solutions isn’t a lack of space – it’s red tape.
“We have halls that sit empty all night, churches that are unused after hours or even carparks,” they said.
“But we’re not allowed to use them to get people off the streets and why? Red tape.
“That’s what’s stopping us from doing more.
“We need immediate action, and we need flexibility so we can actually use the resources we have.
“I feel like I can’t do my job anymore and we need people from the top to come down here and really see what’s going on.”
Despite their efforts, the centre says it’s barely holding the line.
“We give them food and we give them tents and try to give them dignity,” the worker said.
“But tents aren’t homes and these people struggling need homes.”
The stigma that follows those living on the street only deepens the problem.
“People look at them and think they must be on drugs, they must be no-hopers,” the worker said.
“But that’s not the truth.
“Some of these people had good lives and it took one bad event to throw them into crisis.
“And once you’re out, it’s almost impossible to get back in.”
The frontline worker summed it up with a familiar saying from Gosford’s Coast Shelter; “You’re only two pay cheques away from homelessness”.
“All the services are saying the same thing: we’re full exhausted and we can’t keep up,” they said.
“The numbers are only going up, and still, nothing’s being done.”
Multiple Ministers and Central Coast Council were contacted for comment, with the only reply received before we went to press from Member for The Entrance David Mehan.
“We are doing what we can to provide more housing across the state as a government but in the meantime we are dealing with people who are being locked out by the housing market,” he said.
“We are doing what we can to assist them into housing and we’re working as quickly as we can to find a solution but this is not an overnight fix.
“I’m well aware of the community concerns (regarding) the Picnic Point camp and we’re working through this and it’s also not an overnight fix.”
Skaie Hull
I live on the Central Coast just outside of Wyong. I walk my dog around Gorokan and The Entrance.
Not trying or wanting to be seen as racist but why are all the homeless I have seen are white. WHY?
Are others getting better support?
The council own very large caravan parks on the Central Coast. Put them in the council caravan parks is better than the Ghetto,s that we are creating at The Entrance. We have these homeless people all though the parks at least in the caravan parks they will have power toilets and some security.
This crisis began when PM Howard turned housing into a market system. He tripled immigration and cut back funding for units & TAFE so we were short of skilled people and need skilled migrants. His actions have been followed by Rudd and Albo.
Howard’s housing reforms (capital gains and negative gearing) were a disgrace, making it harder for the average Aussie to simply have a roof over their head.
Immigration has made this a bit worse, but keep in mind that reducing immigration won’t do much to improve the housing crisis. After all, immigrants want housing to be cheap, while investors want it to be expensive – pretty obvious which of the two is the bigger problem
the government should put a freeze on house prices
hope it all works out
An immediate halt to immigration and get investment out of the housing market.
Immigration is the only thing stopping us from falling into a recession. Before we can cut that, we need tax policies that aren’t so reliant on income tax and stamp duty, as well as less incentives for investors to buy housing
Also, this is worth a read – https://grattan.edu.au/news/cutting-permanent-migration-may-make-housing-cheaper-but-it-will-definitely-make-us-poorer/
With k750 + new migrants coming to this country every year and only k250 new homes it’s only going to get worse
Look no further than the planning constraint. A simple DA is starting to cost an arm and an half leg with endless delays galor.Rezoning is near impossibility and residents attitude of wanting nothing to change.
This is all Albanese’s fault for allowing so many migrants into Australia AND giving them money, medical aid, homes etc, but nothing for true Australians!!
this is not true.
Howard and boomers caused this by making homes an investment boom for a small portion of already wealthy home owners also just as many people came under liberal policy i lost 3 positions due to fly in fly out unskilled labour that was cheaper due to liberal policy.
liberals gutted housing under funded education and pushed for punishment for the poor by it
Well it’s time that some of the empty buildings (which there are many) at The Entrance for example were set up as temporary accommodation for genuine homeless people and families. It’s sad to know that there are elderly vulnerable people and families out in this weather with no warm beds or clothing or regular meals . People could contribute a weekly amount towards the rent and utilities while charities can help with food that has been donated by buisnesses. I just don’t understand why thats so hard . No doubt there are others also doing it tough…..that will need to be helped in other ways because you can’t have the drugs and alcohol around children or the elderly. Also the crime and anti social behaviour is a huge issue . Time for the local government to extend a helping hand to these people in need. I can’t imagine living in a tent in this weather especially at my age with health issues.
stop bringing in 500,000 immigrants per year and start looking after the people that are already here.No one is against immigration as all of us are immigrants originally, but make the numbers sustainable as resources are being stretched with the numbers coming in.
we need to look after our own house first before someone else’s.
Bruce, I am a migrant, and I have been voting for the Sustainable Australia Party for the last few years. They need your vote to make a difference. No use voting for the usual suspects beholden to business interests. Look them up and tell your friends if you like.
Stop immigration for a couple of years until housing catches up pretty simple
Why can t the council allow people to stay in Koala park
There are ammenities for people there and it would be a safe place for them to stay ,and the kids could go to the local schools , and at least the parents are able to do what s best for there kids .The person who lives down at Lakes Beach in the Bus was breeding dogs there and making money ,he is not being fair to the system he needs to be moved on .
Yes homelessness is a problem on the coast and yes people need help housing dept won’t help nor local members it’s a disgrace
So sad. And yes a disgrace. Help is needed urgently. Availability for some of them to be relocated in some of the caravan parks. Also utilising any of the available vacant properties that are habitable If this isn’t fixed it could become dangerous. Stop immigration and help those in need now. Politicians stand up and do the right thing. .
David Meehan says this is not an overnight fix but it should be.Nobody should be forced to live like this,man,woman or child.The homelessness should be yreated as a national disaster with all resources thrown at it.If this means cutting red tape in order to utilise community and church halls and other suitable accomodation so be it.
This is a time bomb waiting to happen , and as usual it’s too little too late . Now it’s a question of how to deal with it , unfortunately no one has or had the hindsight to sort it before this happens , typical councillors and political stuff , it’ll be us the taxpayers or rate payers that pick up the bill for this , cos of there ignorance
council and local government don’t care busy making them selves get rich been the same for 50 year
It’s not surprising that people are homeless when they choose to live on the coast. There would be cheaper and more available housing in areas of cheaper real estate such as rural areas.
There are also jobs in places like Griffith. Many people have moved to that regional town and secured work and then can afford to rent.
There should be places made available like unused motels in areas away from the coast but with access to services where these people could move to.
Living in the coast is a luxury. We moved years ago to a rural town after doing nursing so we were employable and could afford to rent and then buy in a rural town. It enabled us to have jobs and a home. There are plenty of jobs available in disability services.
Why did Australia vote for more of the same and they did and keep voting on the coast for incompetent uncaring government. Example: Labor spent 1.5 million dollars for 3 days at a climate conference for the bureaucrats in Canberra. $20,000 a head was spent while Australians go homeless and hungry. Does our government truly care about Australians first, on this evidence I think not.
Mate, there’s over 100,000 homeless people in Australia. $1.5m ain’t going to solve it. Go after the tax breaks and royalty concessions they give to Woodside and INPEX – that’s in the order of $80,000,000,000 ($80b) every year
Not that the Coalition would’ve gone after gas taxes either, mind you. Bloody Abbott, repealing the PRRT
Ahhh!!! the lucky country ..
I am helping them as this was me because of dv and spinal operations only in February I got kicked out of gosford hospital with no where to go after 2 spinal surgeries within 7 days at 57yrs not ok for anyone the elderly, children no one not this day and age perfectly good churches they can sleep in overnight or out of the freezing cold storms
most of the prominent economists have stated very openly,that the root cause post covid crisis, is the lack of backbone shown by politicians of all persuasions to refuse to address the elephant in the room. NEGATIVE GEARING OF INVESTMENT PROPERTY AND VERY GENEROUS CAPITAL GAINS TAX CONCESSIONS.! Gutless politicians and the greed of wealthy people who have made property in Australia an asset class. Disgraceful and greedy actions by Govts and the wealthy.
I have seen journalism like this many times, it means you do not care.
The underlying theme of your article is a bit on the cruel side. Have you slept rough lately ?
The Lions Club of Belmont & District Inc. have provided a shower/ laundry van on each Thursday providing meals, laundry service and showers in the hope of providing some comfort to those in need at Picnic Point. We would like to do more but ma power is a problem. we need more Volunteers.
we need to create a gypsy life style again, allocate permanent space, for temporary stays.
move them out country heaps of cheap houses out there .but no they want to l8ve near the water
Average house price on the coast is 13x the average income. It was more like 4x in the 1990s. I think there’s a bigger problem than beachfront housing costs.
Such a sad and tragic life for these people. Albanese needs to get to see what’s happening and find a solution 🤔 ASAP.Mostly Australians living like this k
local government are the sole arbiters for determining development applications and approvals. poor forward planning and lack of resources is the red tape it’s destroying our children’s future and our dreams.
Great article Skaie. The unused church and empty hall buildings that could help people at least stay out of the cold at night but can’t be used because of red tape is so sad and frustrating to hear about. It is so true that we are all not far from homelessness if certain circumstances hit. David Mehan responded, he’s a good man and involved in the community. All the churches and groups with halls should pull together and with the social support services try to help these people. It’s always red tape in the way. I can’t imagine having to live in a tent in Winter. I hope things get better soon for these people. God bless those working to help the homeless.
In a world where we think we’re smart, I find it amazing that good people are left to rot, while criminals are having money thrown at them to keep them warm and comfortable to the tune of billions. 3 meals a day, 24 hr medical, security round the clock. And all the while people keep electing idiots who have no idea of real life to control it all. You want to change the way it is? Start by getting serious. Instead of giving those who think they are entitled to it the money and resources, give it to those that need it. You need people at the top who have the resources to pay those that can supply the resources. The way things are run at present is a joke. I’ve worked my arse off all my life, I am not rich, but somehow we still have a roof, but for how long who knows. My grandchildren will have no hope of a future if this continues. Stay strong, help those that need it, not those that think that they are entitled to it.
I took my dogs for a walk at Toukley and saw these made up tents and big bottles of water outside of them and made me tear up.Thinking of how life has come to this and why suicide for some is the only escape. Why our government turns a blind eye yet assists those overseas.How much is spent on renewables for the environment but is only destroying it.People who have little yet give and in time those who give will be needing too.Australia the land down under is down and out with Albo and the Labor Party.
yes picnic point reserve is so bad Drugs needle 💉 every were council won’t do anything Ranger’s don’t go where anymore it is so Dirty holiday people hate going where the homeless go of at them if they go to the toilet council be saying for years where working on it
Noel | July 11, 2025 at 8:00 am | Reply
In a world where we think we’re smart, I find it amazing that good people are left to rot, while criminals are having money thrown at them to keep them warm and comfortable to the tune of billions. 3 meals a day, 24 hr medical, security round the clock.
Noel
have you experienced incarceration ever in your lifetime?
I’m guessing the answer to that is “No” ?!?
well i have and only just released having spent 2 months of living hell there!!
it’s not “warm and cosy” the society as a whole is volatile ruthless. you don’t get to see the doctor or phycology etc when you want. i waited 8 weeks to see both, and i still didn’t get the much needed help and support i so obviously needed..then I’m released at 9pm and left yet again to my own unsolved, unecked and worsening devices
I’m now currently struggling to live onboard my father’s unsalvagable yacht!!
this situation is worse than living homeless on the street!!
mould, no power, no running water, dangerous weather, mental and physical health, no friends, no family no-one believes me how bad it is?! even when i reach out for help i basically get fobbed off..
i could go back to my ex partner where i suffered ongoing domestic violence, seems like more of an option every waking hour!!
right now as I’m typing this I’m broke until Monday, I’m stuck on the boat because my outboard isn’t working well, the winds are gusting at 100kmh it’s freezing cold, i can’t empty the bilges or toilet, the mould is growing before my eyes and i have milk or essentials.. the list goes on. I’m useless to society so why would anybody need me?
.. actually i wanted to be someone who helps hidden homeless like myself!!
because the ones you see as homeless are a minority to the ones you don’t!!
Hi all I’m in one of the vans at north entrance and ive been there since a week before Christmas
Now I’ve been in and out of homelessness all my life I was on the ray martin midday show at 15 years old interviewed by angry Anderson for youth week “86”
There where 100,000 homeless at that time
I wouldn’t be shocked if there wasn’t more
I have medical conditions and two surgeries to come and living by myself is hard
I have two trades and can’t work
I’ve just been put on the disability pension
And I still can’t afford a property
I don’t trust easy and I’ve had stuff ripped off in the past which makes me anxious about where I am
I sold everything I had to buy a van to live in
North entrance caravan park suck because I was in a tent doing the temporary accommodation and while I was there I ask about permanent and a lady worker said stay 180 days go for a day come back to new site 180 days
Now I owned a 1972 corvette stingray and sold it for a van to live in
Two weeks after being there they said I could only stay 6weeks per year
What a letdown
And the biggest letdown I’ve had is three bouts of fifty km winds which has distroyd my van and released fibreglass all through my bedding clothes food everything is contaminated and I’m currently in more pain from sleeping and breathing it in
I’m on medication for it and doctors ordered it to be decontaminated
So now I’m in a motel with having to start all over again
The main cause is that most real estate are now foreign owned by the so called needy refugees. They have been sabotaging house prices by putting people they know will take down the streets reputation and drive out the occupants that get there own to buy them at a cheaper rate hence why there are now whole suburbs totally full of a certain race. This us now reaching to outer city areas and country towns. We are being taken over. Noticed one reply said the homeless on the ciasts are all white. That’s deliberate
Why are there 2 large dwellings, one a converted shop plus a large house, sitting empty at the end of south Tacoma Rd.under the Wyong bridge?
These are eventually intended to be demolished to make way for the pacific hwy upgrade but
have been empty for ages and no progress to start work on the project in the near future.
These were well maintained places so if the council and state govt are serious about helping the homeless on the coast, especially families, why are places like these allowed to remain empty? So hypocritical.
my God look at this comment section.
talk about brainwashed.
immigration didn’t cause this.
greedy wealth hoarders did.
developers buy up homes knock them down and build luxury units people can’t afford because wages haven’t kept up with the constant record profits corporations make.
just look at air bnb and the amount of empty luxury units around.
in my street they knocked 4 homes down and put up 2 units with 4 beds 5 bathrooms a pool and landscaping….and they have been empty for over a year since completing.
Well said
if they were refugees they would be housed ,have everything they needed,if your white your no longer a priority in a labour country,not being rasist but it’s the truth.
As i dont live on the Central Coast, ive Experienced Homelessness as a Street Kid and time and time again reading many Comments i Still Cant Believe how in this Day and Age Others Just Talk and Whine. These Issues Can Be Addressed and Helped Whilst Long Term Solutions are Put in Place, Unfortunately there are Many Factors in Place that Dont Help. Im Tired of Others Always Blaming Labour for this Mess when they Inherited it all from Liberals. People Seem to Forget that and all the Services that have been Cut over the Years, Sky High Prices and Telling You its all Labours Fault. Just Take Our Subs Debarcle by Morrison, We Ended up Paying Twice Over, Compensation to France then Paying the U.S, All Liberal. Those Hundreds of Millions Couldve been Spent on this Exact thing. Biggest Issue is Most People Dont Care, they Pretend to or Voice it but its Not them So Why Should they Care, Even Our Politicians in all levels of Local Council, State and Federal Governments Dont, They Only Pretend Too.Just look at How they are Issuing Fines, Clearing Away Peoples Belongings, Fining Tourists and Campers in Carparks Not Because they Leave Rubbish, Make Noise, its those InCompassionate People in the Community that Whinge about a Public Space, then Only for Council to Act. Remember People Public Spaces Belong to the People, Not the Governments and Certainly Not for Only Selected People in the Community they are For Everyone. Homeless People as well as Tourists and Backpackers are Public and they Are Entitled to Use those Spaces just As You Are.Instead of Judging Without Knowing Why Dont You Help With Solutions instead of Being A BIGGER PART OF THE PROBLEMS.Know One is Safe from Homelessness because You Dont know What will Happen Tomorrow, Next Week, Next Couple of Months or Even Next Year.EVERYONE Should Show a Little COMPASSION,EMPATHY,GOOD WILL,SHARE A CHAT,or BUY THEM A HOT COFFEE OR HOT SOUP,BUT DONT JUDGE, REMEMBER 1 DAY THAT MAYBE YOU.
FOR EVERYONE DOING IT HARD, I DO UNDERSTAND IVE BEEN THERE,I CAN ONLY SAY PERSIST,ENDURE,OVERCOME,TRY TO FIND SOMEWHERE WARM AND DONT LOSE HOPE.TO EVERYONE ELSE JUST THINK ABOUT IF IT WAS YOU, OR YOUR LOVED ONES IN THESE SITUATIONS, HOW WOULD YOU FEEL IF OTHERS WERE DOING TO YOU WHAT YOU COMPLAIN ABOUT OF THEM DOING, JUST BE KIND AND REMEMBER WE ARE ALL AUSTRALIANS AND AUSSIES HELP EACH OTHER IN TOUGH TIMES, THATS JUST WHO WE ARE AS A NATION.
CHEERS
Well said Buddy
Dear Sir, Seems that all levels of government can approve a mining camp and have it constructed with a runway for a thousand men in a few months. When it comes to the homeless, often the %10 of population minimum wage earners, there is not enough room in Australia. But hey, just ask the treasurer Charmers about the growing economy and you’ll be informed nothing to see here.
It is all very sad to hear these stories. suggest you pass on your good ideas to your State member – en masse. Some of you have put forth practical potential short-term solutions.
Thank you for all the comments.
The next part of this investigation and Special Report Series is coming this week.
I live in a studio which is an affordable housing complex. We have 9 units out of 19 empty and most have been empty for over 6 months. Why, it breaks my heart 🥲
Bill Crews is not God but by God if we were all Bill Crews the world would be better off. Yes these people stink were going to stink also without a shower these people are trying to SURVIVE Not everyone gets to afford a private school then a university degree earning big $$$$ someone has to suffer to distinguish rich from poor.