On 12 May, Homelessness NSW released the Housing Code Red report.
Member for Manly, James Griffin MP said the report reveals a 22% surge in the number of people on social housing waitlists, extending to 68,247 households.
Of these, 12,478 households are on the priority list, meaning they are homeless or at risk of homelessness, living in crisis or emergency accommodation, or at risk of harm such as domestic or family violence.
“As the housing and cost of living crises deepen, we’re seeing more people experience homelessness for the very first time. Rents are skyrocketing, homelessness services are at breaking point, and tens of thousands are trapped in a system that can’t cope,” Mr Griffin said.
“Manly is not immune to the crisis, with demand for housing and support services continuing to grow. Communities across the Northern Beaches are feeling the impact of this crisis firsthand, with more people struggling to secure safe and stable housing.”
“More than 6,500 people sought help from homelessness services last year due to rental stress alone, a trend that is only worsening. Specialist Homelessness Services are stretched to the limit and are being asked to do more with less. NSW needs more housing, alongside proper wrap-around support services,” Mr Griffin said.
In 2024–25, only 35% of people in NSW who needed short-term or emergency accommodation were able to access it, and 75% needing long-term housing were not provided with accommodation or referred elsewhere for support.
