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The Hunter and Central Coast district recorded the largest increase in rough sleeping in the past year and the third largest this decade, according to a new report by Homelessness NSW.

In the past year alone, the district added 116 people, the same number as the entire increase across NSW. The district counted 331 people sleeping rough in 2026, up from 178 in 2020, an increase of 86% over six years, according to the report titled Rough Sleeping is Up: We know what to do, we just need the funding.

Since 2020, Singleton Council and Port Stephens have recorded the highest increases in the Hunter, each adding 31 people. Lake Macquarie added 27 people over the same period, while Newcastle added 14, reaching 66 in 2026.

“From Newcastle to Muswellbrook, rough sleeping is soaring in the Hunter as more people are left unable to afford the private rental market,” said Homelessness NSW CEO Dominique Rowe. “Some LGAs which barely had any rough sleeping now have dozens of people without a place to call home.”

Since 2020, the Hunter and Central Coast district had the third highest increase in rough sleeping of any district in NSW, behind Mid North Coast, New England and Northern NSW which added 617 people, and Illawarra Shoalhaven and Southern NSW which added 186.

Across the state the number of people sleeping rough in NSW has risen from 1,319 in 2020 to 2,308 in 2026, a 75% increase.

The report also showed that homelessness services are struggling to cope with increased demand. Unassisted requests for help have increased by 92% since 2020-21, reaching 21,530 in 2024-25.

“The good news is the solutions are very clear,” said Ms Rowe. “The NSW Government must fund homelessness services to meet demand and also build enough social housing so people have a pathway to a safe and secure home.”