THE REALITY of being homeless has started to creep up on those who never thought it could.
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The coronavirus pandemic has sent shockwaves through the economy with almost one-in-ten New England residents on JobSeeker benefits in May and another one-in-five on JobKeeper wage supplements.
Now, Everybody's Home statistics reveal the New England electorate is ranked fifth in regional NSW for homeless rates.
It's staggering, but it's no surprise to Homes North chief executive Maree McKenzie.
"We won't see the full effects of coronavirus for another six months, we know we will have increased demand when these supports wind back - the jobs aren't there and people will be unemployed," she said.
"People are hanging on at the moment.
"We have to face the fact that some people's lives are going to change dramatically and services like us will be important."
The new figures show there at at least 700 homeless people in the New England electorate and another 3600 social houses are needed.
It's Homelessness Week and Homelessness Australia and Everybody's Home have called on federal MP's to sign a social housing pledge to invest in their communities.
A Social Housing Acceleration and Renovation Program details how building 30,000 homes in the next four years would create 18,000 jobs each year and combat homelessness.
Ms McKenzie said it would be a great opportunity to stimulate the economy and come out with assets that support people.
"If you are a young person on JobSeeker 90 per cent of income is going to rent - that's not feasible," she said.
"There's a range of dwellings we need, one and two bedrooms and some larger homes for families.
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"If you put a price tag of $400,000 for each property that's what we're looking for and you do it over years. I think the best way to do it is grants."
The data showed that almost one third of the state's homeless lived outside Sydney.
The main factors in homelessness in the New England are domestic violence, mental illness and financial stress, Ms McKenzie said.
"There's a lot of hidden homelessness in regional areas," she said.
Madeline Link
Madeline Link is a journalist at the Newcastle Herald, with a focus on Lake Macquarie City Council. To keep up with my stories, follow my Twitter @madeline_link, for tips email madeline.link@newcastleherald.com.au.
Madeline Link is a journalist at the Newcastle Herald, with a focus on Lake Macquarie City Council. To keep up with my stories, follow my Twitter @madeline_link, for tips email madeline.link@newcastleherald.com.au.
