Homelessness street counts

When and why we do this

Our yearly street count takes place in February, the same time as the state street count, coordinated by the NSW Department of Communities and Justice. This timing provides a state-wide assessment of strategies and responses to reduce homelessness.

Each count relies on the goodwill and participation of more than 150 volunteers. When planning the street count, we seek the advice of people who are homeless or experienced homelessness. To date, 50 different individuals with lived experience of homelessness have advised and assisted us in multiple street counts.

Street count results are regularly used to advocate to state and federal governments, along with potential partners, for the resources necessary to achieve lasting solutions to homelessness.

A key part of our homelessness strategy, the street count also helps to monitor the progress of efforts to reduce the numbers of people experiencing homelessness in the local area.

Counting the numbers of people experiencing primary homelessness is only one way to collect data, but it's an important one.