Homelessness crisis reaches alarming new peak – special report part 3

The housing crisis gripping the Central Coast has reached an alarming new peak, with desperation rising, dignity being lost, and safety concerns multiplying across communities.

Driven by the surging cost of living, tight rental availability and stagnating wages, the crisis is no longer limited to rough sleepers or those living on the fringes.

Families, workers, retirees, and students are all finding themselves pushed out of the market – many for the first time in their lives.

Some relief is available through retrospective rent assistance: up to $212 per fortnight for singles, $199.80 for couples, and $141.33 for those in shared homes.

But the process requires valid rental receipts, with service providers saying this is often a complex task for those experiencing homelessness or unstable housing.

“While there is still some support available, it’s becoming harder to access,” a Central Coast spokesperson for Uniting said.

“Affordable accommodation is now mostly limited to shared housing, a few boarding houses in Newcastle, and a small number of caravan parks on the Coast.”

The spokesperson said some caravan parks had introduced criminal history checks as a condition of stay, creating new obstacles for those already on the edge.

“This is an emerging barrier that could further exclude the most vulnerable,” they said.

“People in crisis are already facing so many challenges.

“Adding one more can be the thing that pushes them over.”

In response to the worsening rental crisis, Uniting is liaising with Central Coast Council to explore subsidised accommodation options within Council-operated caravan parks.

“Our goal is to provide not just shelter, but dignity to people who find themselves homeless — many for the first time,” the spokesperson said.

They also challenged the stigma around homelessness, noting that the current crisis is affecting a broader cross-section of the community.

“There’s a harmful stereotype about homelessness,” they said.

“But the truth is, a growing number of people doing it tough are everyday community members; families, retirees, and young adults who have been priced out of the rental market through no fault of their own.”

As the situation worsens, Uniting and other frontline services are calling for urgent action – more flexible support systems, fewer administrative barriers, and long-term investment in affordable housing.

Applicants are often required to produce formal rental agreements and valid receipts – a near-impossible ask for those who are couch-surfing, have no fixed address, or are paying cash to stay in informal living arrangements.

Uniting is one of the region’s largest homelessness service providers, and the spokesperson said the support system was not keeping pace with the need.

“What we’re seeing now isn’t just a short-term dip in housing supply — it’s a full-blown access crisis,” they said.

“And it’s not just affecting people on the margins; it’s reaching into the heart of our community.”

Resident frustration mounts: ‘It’s falling apart’

A resident from The Entrance, who has watched the neighbourhood change dramatically in recent years, shared a raw and confronting statement on how the housing crisis is impacting the broader community.

“Homelessness on the Central Coast has turned into this social issue with two sides to the coin,” the resident said.

Several hotspots have been identified as ‘squatters’ homes’ including one at Canton Beach, along with more than a dozen ‘camp cities’ as previously reported.

“On one hand, there are those who’ve simply been dealt a crappy hand,” the resident said.

“But on the other, places like the El Lago tourist park and streets like Ashton Ave have become hubs for squatting, drug use and antisocial behaviour.

“There are abandoned homes turned into drug dens across from a public school — shattered glass, beer bottles, rubbish.

“Council isn’t doing anything and when I contacted them, they told me I should consider moving.

“Homelessness (has seen) what should be family-friendly environments taken over in numbers.

“A lot of out-of-area property owners who have let these abandoned houses sit here for years don’t realise what they are welcoming into this community.

“Central Coast Council does not have the resources or training to keep up with the demands of the community with the increased levels of homelessness – but does this mean that the community should have to put up with (it)?”

In 2023, Pacific Link Housing took over 23–25 Ashton Ave with plans to build affordable housing.

More than two years later, the lot remains a vacant gravel carpark, while the rest of the street is now known as ‘Squatters’ Street’ by locals.

“The social juxtaposition should be embarrassing for Council,” another resident said.

“We have children going to school across the road — and no-one’s stepping up,” said yet another.

“The longer a problem continues, the worse it gets and this has already gone on for long enough.”

Minister for Police: ‘We need more boots on the ground’

Minister for Police and Counter-terrorism and Member for Swansea, Yasmin Catley, acknowledged the challenges but said progress was underway.

“Police are doing everything they can to investigate and disrupt crime, responding to incidents, investigating offences, and making arrests,” she said.

“Station hours and staffing are operational matters for local Commanders.

“I’ve been upfront about the fact that while police are going above and beyond, we also need more boots on the ground — and that’s exactly what we’re delivering.”

Since launching new recruitment initiatives, NSW Police has seen a 72% surge in applications, with new recruits now being deployed across regions including the Central Coast.

“I would also like to remind the community that every police vehicle acts as a mobile station, giving officers the ability to quickly respond to calls for help while on the move,” Catley said.

“If you need immediate assistance, please call triple zero and the police will respond.”

 ‘Being homeless is not a crime’

Superintendent Kylie Endemi APM, Northern Region Sponsor for Ageing, Disability & Homelessness, reinforced the NSW Police Force’s position on street homelessness.

“Police will respond to incidents involving homeless people when reported, but the homeless have the same rights as any other individual; they have the right to be in a public place, and will not be moved unless there is a threat to general security, their personal safety, or if they are causing a disturbance which constitutes a breach of the peace,” she said.

She said police regularly work to connect individuals with appropriate services where possible.

“Police can and will act if – for example – access to a business is blocked or an individual is harassing or intimidating someone, and in these situations, a move-on direction can be issued,” she said.

“Being homeless is not an offence, and NSW Police will continue to work with the community and help homeless people make contact with appropriate services if needed.”

Council responds: ‘We hear the concern’

In a written statement, Central Coast Council acknowledged the growing pressure and public concern.

“We are committed to supporting vulnerable individuals through collaboration with outreach providers and service organisations to deliver assistance such as food, accommodation, health, and welfare support,” the statement said.

Council pointed to its Affordable and Alternative Housing Strategy, adopted in 2019, as a long-term roadmap to improve housing access and prevent homelessness.

“In line with the NSW Government’s Protocol for Homeless People in Public Places, Council works to ensure people experiencing street homelessness are treated with dignity and respect.

“When reports are received about individuals camping or sleeping rough on Council land, Rangers engage with those affected and connect them with support services.

“Council also distributes Crisis Relief Services Cards across the region to help people access emergency assistance.”

When asked about illegal camping fines, Council clarified that such fines are categorised as parking violations, not homelessness offences.

Individuals are typically only fined if they refuse to move on.

“In many instances, if a person, or persons, is identified as an illegal camper by a Ranger and they move on when asked, they are not fined,” the statement said.

“They are only fined if they refuse to move (and) has been previously explained, Rangers cannot move people on if they are considered homeless. 

“Rangers do targeted patrols during the busy holiday periods when instances of illegal camping are prevalent.

“Rangers also respond to complaints in relation to illegal camping.

“If the complaints relate to antisocial behaviour and safety risks to the community, it is referred to NSW Police as the appropriate authority. 

“Residents receiving parking fines are able to request a review of the parking fine.

“Rangers issue parking fines (but) are not privy to if the vehicle belongs to a resident or not.”

Council said it recognised that homelessness was a complex issue requiring co-ordinated efforts across all levels of government and community.

“Council will continue to work with stakeholders to support compassionate and practical responses to this growing challenge,” the statement said.

A crisis of compassion and capacity

Uniting believes that without immediate systemic change, the Central Coast could see a worsening humanitarian and social crisis — one that risks leaving entire demographics behind.

“There’s still such a harmful stereotype about people experiencing homelessness,” the spokesperson said.

“But we’re seeing everyday people – teachers, carers, parents – now needing help.

“People are spending months bouncing between unsafe options, being told to wait for housing they may never get.

We need earlier intervention, more emergency housing, and systems that are built to serve people in need — not punish them.”

The Central Coast has long been seen as a family-friendly alternative to Sydney, with its beaches, bushland and relaxed lifestyle.

But residents now warn that the housing crisis is threatening the very character of the region.

“COVID made the Central Coast desirable, but the lack of action is reversing that,” one said.

“People will stop wanting to raise families here.

“We’ve already lost a sense of safety in some streets.”

As frustration builds and more residents fall through the cracks, frontline workers, residents and officials are calling for: more transitional and emergency accommodation; fast-tracked social and affordable housing projects; better co-ordination between Council, Police, and service providers; red tape reduction for rental assistance access; stronger local safety responses without penalising homelessness; and public awareness campaigns to reduce stigma.

Due to the sensitivity of this issue, many residents and service providers have chosen not to have their names publicly mentioned.

Check out Coast Community News online and in print as part of a Special News Series as we continue to give a voice to the people living with homelessness and the greater community.

Skaie Hull