Homelessness rate up 44 percent in Campbelltown

There was a 44 per cent increase in homelessness in Campbelltown between 2011 to 2016, according to recently released data from the 2016 census.

The increase is considerably higher than the average for the rest of the state (37 per cent) and the national average (14 per cent).

At the 2011 census there were 645 homeless people in the Campbelltown LGA – a figure that has increased to 929 in the 2016 census.

Campbelltown MP Greg Warren has slammed the NSW Government for what he says is its failure to invest in social housing, and in specialist homelessness services, in Campbelltown.

“This is another example of how the Liberal-National Government’s neglect of Campbelltown has now resulted in a significant increase in homelessness in our region,’’ he said.

“Campbelltown continues to be ignored by the Berejiklian Government, which is focused on rampant property sell-offs and stadium splurges.

“It’s not a statistic that anybody would want to lead in, and the State Government should hang its head in shame that despite unprecedented economic growth homelessness has skyrocketed in Campbelltown and across NSW.

[social_quote duplicate=”no” align=”default”]“The NSW Government has failed to come up with a plan to tackle the rise in homelessness despite raking in billions in stamp duty revenue.”[/social_quote]

Mr Warren pointed out that in November last year the NSW Labor opposition called for a Select Committee in Homelessness to review the escalating numbers of people experiencing or at risk of homelessness, and the resourcing for homeless support services.

“To date, the government continues to refuse to establish a Select Committee,’’ he said.

“The NSW Liberal-National Government has failed to invest in social housing, having sold off and/or demolished more than 4,200 public housing properties across NSW since it was elected in 2011 – including hundreds of properties in Airds and Claymore,’’ Mr Warren said.