Homelessness is a significant and growing issue in the inner west community and takes many forms including sleeping rough, couch surfing and staying in unstable or overcrowded accommodation.
The drivers of homelessness include a shortage of stable and affordable housing, family violence, long-term unemployment, family breakdown, mental illness and drug and alcohol abuse.
NSW Government Homeless Strategy and Protocol
Inner West Council is guided by the principals outlined in the NSW Homelessness Strategy. Inner West Council supports the vision of the NSW Government that Homelessness is Rare, Brief and Not Repeated.
Protocol for homeless people in public places
Inner West Council is also informed by the NSW Government Protocol for Homeless People in Public Spaces. The principals underlying The Protocol include:
- People experiencing homelessness have the same rights as any member of the public to:
- Be in public spaces
- Participate in public activities or events
- Carry with them and manage their own belongings
- Request or decline support or assistance
- All people should contribute toward a safe and peaceful environment and respect local communities and businesses
The Protocol does not prevent Inner West Council from taking appropriate action where health or safety is at risk. The Protocol does not override existing laws or regulations, or the enforcement of those laws or regulations. In the event of an emergency, or where immediate assistance is required, please contact emergency services.
Support services
Several specialised support services are available throughout the Inner West.
Link2Home
NSW‑wide homelessness information and referral service.
Phone: 1800 152 152
Hours: 24/7 support
MissionBeat
Crisis intervention, on‑street support and case management.
Phone: 1800 306 461
Hours: Monday to Friday 8am–9pm; Saturday 10am–6pm
Wesley Mission – Homeless Services
Outreach and case management for people at risk of or experiencing homelessness.
Phone: 1300 259 789
Newtown Neighbourhood Centre
Outreach, low‑cost accommodation lists, case management and drop‑ins.
Phone: 02 9564 7333
Hours: Mon Wed Thu Fri 10am–4pm, Tue 10am–1pm.
Address: 11–13 Darley St, Newtown.
Bill Crews Foundation
Free seven‑day support including food, social welfare and education assistance.
Phone: 02 8752 4600
Address: 180 Liverpool Rd, Ashfield
Youth Off The Streets
Support for young people aged 12–24 at risk of or experiencing homelessness.
Phone: 02 9330 3500
Hours: Mon–Fri 9am–5pm
Ask Izzy
Online search for local food, housing, money, health and wellbeing support.
1800RESPECT
National domestic, family and sexual violence counselling service.
Phone: 1800 737 732
Hours: 24/7 support
Lifeline
Crisis support and suicide prevention.
Phone: 13 11 14. Text: 0477 13 11 14. Online Chat (24/7)
Hours: 24/7 support
Mental Health Line (NSW)
Mental health advice, assessment and referral.
Phone: 1800 011 511
Hours: 24/7 support
Further community support information:
Advice and referrals
You can inform outreach and connect vulnerable community members to services by contacting any of the following organisations.
Link2Home
NSW‑wide homelessness information and referral service.
Phone: 1800 152 152
Hours: 24/7 support
MissionBeat
Crisis intervention, on‑street support and case management.
Phone: 1800 306 461
Hours: Monday to Friday 8am–9pm; Saturday 10am–6pm
Wesley Mission – Homeless Services
Outreach and case management for people at risk of or experiencing homelessness.
Phone: 1300 259 789
Newtown Neighbourhood Centre
Outreach, low‑cost accommodation lists, case management and drop‑ins.
Phone: 02 9564 7333
Hours: Mon Wed Thu Fri 10am–4pm, Tue 10am–1pm.
Address: 11–13 Darley St, Newtown.
Bill Crews Foundation
Free seven‑day support including food, social welfare and education assistance.
Phone: 02 8752 4600
Address: 180 Liverpool Rd, Ashfield
Youth Off The Streets
Support for young people aged 12–24 at risk of or experiencing homelessness.
Phone: 02 9330 3500
Hours: Mon–Fri 9am–5pm
Volunteer your time to helping our community
- Newtopian Outreachers with Newtown Neighbourhood Centre.
- Bill Crews Volunteering
Complete our training module
We have developed a course to provide an introduction to the issues of homelessness and give guidance to our residents who want to know how they can help. THis short interactive course takes about 15 minutes to complete. Introduction to homelessness short course
Introduction to homelessness short course
Reporting to Council
We encourage residents to report any observations to Council to inform local outreach services and Council’s response. There is no need to approach a person or area in order to make a report, you can make an observation from a distance.
When reporting observations to Council it is important to include as much information as possible. Please include the following information when making a report:
- Times and dates when person has been seen at location.
- Description of person. Could include gender, clothing, height etc.
- Location details including location within a park.
- Description of belongings or items at location.
This information is shared with local homeless outreach services to help them connect with rough sleepers and is important in helping to plan appropriate responses.
Report an issue via our Online Services.
All the policies, reports and data you read can’t ever hope to convey what it must feel like to find yourself without a home. Watch this short video to hear what people with lived experience of homelessness say about what it’s like to be in their shoes.
Types of Homelessness
Primary: Without conventional accommodation (open air train stations, bus stops, streets, bridges, overpasses, libraries, shopping centres, parks, vacant land) or in shelter not fit for human habitation (car parks, cars or abandoned buildings).
Secondary: Temporary shelter (emergency accommodation, refuges, “couch surfing”).
Tertiary: Accommodation that is below minimum community standards (unlicensed boarding house, caravan parks)
Inner West Homeless Assertive Outreach Collaborative (IWHAC)
Inner West Homeless Assertive Outreach Collaborative is a partnership of key stakeholders, led by backbone organisations Inner West Council, Newtown Neighbourhood Centre and Homes NSW. IWHAC membership also includes:
- Wesley Mission
- Mission Australia
- Bill Crews Foundation
- Neami National
- Sydney Local Health District
IWHAC operations include regular patrols and monthly care coordination meetings. Patrols aim to engage people sleeping rough, follow up with existing people already engaged, check on the general welfare of rough sleepers and respond to reports. Care coordination meetings review client progress and collaborate on actions to achieve identified goals.
IWHAC utilises the By Name List (BNL). The BNL is a real-time database designed to actively track the number of people sleeping rough in NSW. The BNL holds key details and personal information to assist service providers to record what intervention has been provided and where there are gaps. Consent is provided by clients for their information to be stored in the BNL during their support journey.
Street Counts
Street Counts are an annual state-wide initiative and are led by the Department of Communities and Justice. Inner West Council coordinates Street Count for the Inner West LGA along with support from local homeless outreach services. Street Count aims to gather information on how many people are experiencing primary homelessness in the form of rough sleeping.
Data gathered during Street Count helps to inform resources and strategies to support vulnerable communities. Outreach teams are also provided with details from Street Count to inform their regular outreach patrols and engage with those seen during Street Count.
Affordable Housing
Inner West Council is supporting secure, affordable housing so everyone in the Inner West can meet their basic needs and remain part of a diverse, inclusive community. Learn more.