The Wilks Park campground in North Wagga is being used by an increasing number of residents finding themselves homeless. Photo: WikiCamps.
The number of people sleeping rough in Wagga Wagga has surged by a staggering 2400 per cent over the past six years, according to new figures from Homelessness NSW.
The peak body released its annual street count data as local advocates continue to express frustration over what they say is a lack of action and consultation from government on the city’s worsening homelessness crisis.
The NSW Government, councils and community organisations conduct an annual “point-in-time” street count of people sleeping rough in public places including streets, parks, cars, tents, bus shelters and abandoned buildings.
Across NSW, 2308 people were counted sleeping rough in 2026, up 5 per cent on last year and 75 per cent higher than in 2020.
The sharpest increase was recorded in Wagga Wagga, where the number of people sleeping rough was up from just one in 2020 to 25 in 2026.
While the count is widely used to track trends, it measures only visible rough sleeping on a single night and does not capture the broader population experiencing homelessness, such as people couch surfing or living in overcrowded housing. A 2025 Wagga Council report estimated there were 257 homeless in the city, up from 150 in 2016.
The local crisis has attracted national attention in recent weeks after two homeless people were drenched by sprinklers at Victory Memorial Gardens on a cold morning, and following the death of a newborn baby in a tent near Wagga Beach.
In response, the NSW Government has supposedly established a taskforce to examine homelessness in the city. However, local advocates say they have not been consulted and have seen little evidence of progress.
“It’s been disappointing there hasn’t been a community seat at the table with this so-called taskforce,” Wagga housing advocate Vickie Burkinshaw said.
“We want government to speak to us. We have resources, experience and ideas.”
Advocates Leigh Swansborough and Chris Roche have also criticised the government for failing to keep community groups and the public informed about its plans.
Leigh Swansborough and Tim Verhoef assisted a homeless duo drenched by sprinklers last month. Photo: Supplied.
Ms Burkinshaw said frontline workers were struggling to help people into housing because rents remained unaffordable and social housing was in critically short supply.
The median weekly rent in Wagga is about $570, while there is currently only one property available for less than $300 a week on realestate.com.au in the entire town.
“We’re having to tell women that we can put them on a housing waiting list, but there could be a minimum five-year wait,” she said.
“How would it make you feel hearing that?
“We know it’s only going to get worse as the cost of living continues to rise.”
Wagga councillor Richard Foley said the city could not afford to wait years for additional housing stock to be built and called on the government to establish temporary accommodation sites immediately.
“What I am calling for is straightforward — a small number of designated, managed transitional sites around the city,” Cr Foley said.
“Basic, no-frills accommodation: a bed, a toilet, a shower, rubbish collection and on-site support workers.
“Nothing flash. Nothing expensive. Just enough for a human being to be safe, clean and connected to the services that can help them move forward.”
Ms Burkinshaw agreed, arguing temporary accommodation could be delivered quickly if there was political will.
“If Transgrid can build a mini-city in a week, we can do the same for the homeless,” she said.
A spokesperson for Homes NSW said 48 social housing properties in Wagga Wagga were scheduled for completion by the end of 2027, including 12 expected to be delivered by the end of this month using modern construction methods.
“Homes NSW also continues to work with people experiencing homelessness in Wagga Wagga to access available housing and support pathways based on their individual circumstances and needs,” the spokesperson said.
Original Article published by Oliver Jacques on Region Riverina.
