Homelessness outreach is considered urgent on the Northern Rivers with Byron Shire’s street count numbers now the highest in NSW.
The annual NSW Street Count has found 300 people sleeping rough in the Byron Shire, a significant increase from 2021 (198 people) and 2022 (138 people). Note: The 2022 figure did not include people in Brunswick Heads or Mullumbimby because of extreme weather.
Council worked alongside the NSW Department of Communities and Justice to carry out the street count in the early hours of 23 and 24 February 2023.
The Byron Shire now has the highest number of people sleeping rough in the state, ahead of City of Sydney which recorded 277 rough sleepers.
“This is heartbreaking but not really a surprise given the housing emergency of the last few years, exacerbated by Covid and the floods,” Byron Shire Mayor, Michael Lyon said.
“We have an urgent and immediate need for assertive outreach services and supportive housing options in the Byron Shire,” Mayor Lyon said.
“We are hopeful that the NSW State Government can find money and resources to address the challenges facing some of the most vulnerable members in our community.
“We cannot solve homelessness without more housing, it’s that simple,” he said.
While housing and homelessness is the responsibility of the NSW Government, Byron Shire Council has been actively working on local solutions to reduce the number of people experiencing homelessness in the shire.
Two Public Space Liaison officers walk the streets and dunes each week to help connect people sleeping rough with the services they need.
Council has also created a community-based Collaboration Project which aims to reduce and end rough sleeping.
Using data, including people’s individual circumstances and background information, the Collaboration Project is changing how local organisations work together to support people experiencing homelessness.
“Council is doing everything it can to generate more affordable housing in the shire,” Mayor Lyon said.
“We have introduced planning and development provisions that support affordable housing, such as rezoning of council-owned land to enable this use, and implementation of the affordable housing contributions policy and scheme to support the development of permanent affordable and diverse housing.”
Council will continue advocate to return short term rental housing (STRA) to long-term rental options for the community.
The Independent Planning Commission recently handed down its report and recommendations to the Minister for Planning, which supports council’s aim to find a way to return more affordable options to the long-term rental market.
Council is liaising with the Department of Planning and the Minister on the next steps in this process.
Social Futures CEO Tony Davies said investment in social housing and homelessness services is urgently needed.
“We urge the NSW Government to fund assertive outreach in the Byron Shire,” Mr Davies said.
“A program in Tweed has achieved strong results supporting people who are sleeping rough into stable accommodation and providing wrap around supports.
“These types of programs have a big impact on the lives of people sleeping rough.
“If we want to see change, we need greater investment in critical homelessness services and supportive housing options,” he said.
