Natasha Maclaren-Jones
Shadow Minister for Homelessness
Shadow Minister for Homelessness, Natasha Maclaren-Jones, is calling on the Minister for Homelessness to immediately release the results of the 2026 Street Count, conducted in February and March this year.
“With rising cost-of-living pressures and an ongoing housing crisis, more people are being forced onto the streets. The Minister’s failure to release this data raises serious questions about what they are trying to hide.” Mrs Maclaren-Jones said.
“The Minister must release the 2026 Street Count report without further delay. At a time when homelessness is rising, the public deserves transparency, not silence. This delay is unacceptable.”
“Homelessness NSW estimates the number of people experiencing homelessness in NSW could be as high as 80,000 and Specialist Homelessness Services are stretched beyond capacity.”
Mrs Maclaren-Jones also called on the Minister to expand reporting to better capture the full spectrum of homelessness, including couch surfing and other forms of insecure housing that are not reflected in the Street Count.
“Homelessness is not just rough sleeping. It includes people couch surfing, living in overcrowded homes, or stuck in insecure housing. Right now, we are only seeing part of the picture.”
“If the Government is serious about addressing this crisis, it must start by being honest about it,” Mrs Maclaren-Jones said.
Since 2023, the public‑housing waiting list has blown out to 68,247 people, a 22 per cent increase.
“The NSW Government must invest now in Specialist Homelessness Services, transitional housing with wrap around supports, and stop families falling through the cracks. Anything less is just more empty rhetoric from a government presiding over a housing crisis,” Mrs Maclaren-Jones said.
The annual Street Count plays a critical role in providing a snapshot of homelessness across New South Wales and relies on the efforts of hundreds of volunteers.