This is what we learned at today's hearing: first the goods news, thousands of people have been assisted into temporary, social housing & private rentals. The homelessness sector deserves great praise for this work (so do our public servants) but #nswpol https://twitter.com/nsw_upperhouse/status/1295140292853551104

We also learned that with increased unemployment, changes to jobseeker & jobkeeper, it is anticipated that an additional 16,000 will become homeless. A 39% increase in demand with at this stage no extra funding #nswpol

This does not include the 40,000 temporary visa holders (5000 of whom are children) who are not eligible for housing or any income support & at best can get two days temporary accommodation. They are relying on food charities.

Increasingly people are moving into ever more overcrowded housing as they fall into arrears on rental properties with no way to ever pay it back. Overcrowding leads to increased risk of COVID outbreaks.

There is a huge new group of people finding themselves homeless, single mums, those in arts & entertainment, LGBTIQ young people who can't live at home, international students who can't go home, retail & hospo workers.

The Welcome Centre in Granville has had a 276% increase on calls for help. Help with rental arrears, hunger & crisis accommodation make up most of those calls. The Asylum Seeker Centre is supporting 5000 people while Addison Rd is feeding 4000 a week.

It is anticipated that in the Cumberland local government area, 2587 people will lose work & around 767 could become homeless in the next 6 months.

Thanks to all the community workers, volunteers & charities doing incredible work. I'll keep pushing the NSW Gov to do more to support you & the people you support. #nswpol