The rate of homelessness in the Shoalhaven is up by 25 per cent in the Shoalhaven - workers on the front line say something needs to change.
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Lesley Labka, manager of SAHSSI Shoalhaven, says the reasons behind homelessness are complex - but many homeless women have fled domestic violence.
"About 50 per cent of the women we support are homeless directly because of domestic violence," she said.
"Last year's Anglicare report said there were zero private rentals affordable for single people on a Newstart benefit in the Shoalhaven.
"The vacancy rate in the private rental market is under half a per cent, and we know when it dips under two per cent, homelessness increases.
"We also have a five-to-ten year wait on social housing, and more than 700 people in Nowra waiting for properties."
Although it's easy to identify the factors driving the increase in homelessness in our region, it's more difficult to find a solution.
"We're very fortunate that we can almost guarantee a bed for the night for women fleeing domestic violence," Ms Labka said.
"But staying longer can be tricky. There are people for whom social housing is a good fit, especially older women, for whom moving is very difficult and stressful.
"There are also people very suited to private rentals - but something needs to change about Newstart. Someone on a Newstart allowance will have to look at shared accommodation, and for women, especially women with children, that is not ideal."
Ms Labka said some women her service supports became homeless after experiencing violence or overcrowding in shared accommodation.
Reagen is one of those women.
Reagen is on a disability pension, and was referred to SAHSSI after overcrowding forced her out of home.
She has been homeless for about five months, including a night spent sleeping rough.
"I was very sad, it was a very traumatic experience to not have anywhere to stay," she said.
"Being homeless is such a big thing, it takes up every aspect of your life.
"You feel horrible, you feel unwanted and you don't feel part of the community."
Reagen said an increase in the disability pension would help her find accommodation.
"You can micromanage your finances amazingly, but you'll still have $20 left after you've bought food and paid for accommodation," she said.
"It's very difficult to live on."
Homeless outreach solicitor, Sharlene Naismith, agreed Centrelink payments were inadequate.
"Almost all of my clients are Centrelink recipients," she said.
"Also people who work part time and have children struggle.
"[Newstart] is almost $200 a week below the Henderson poverty line, the equivalent to about $40 a day."
Ms Naismith said domestic violence and mental health problems could also cause overwhelming debt - and result in homelessness.
"An example is someone with a gambling problem, or someone paying off expensive consumer leases for white goods, who has obtained lots of different lines of credit and are being pursued by debt collectors," she said.
"They're so afraid of those phone calls, they might pay that rather than their rent.
"If you add mental health or trauma issues, it makes it harder for that person to address the problem - they feel like everything is getting on top of them and they put their head in the sand, or go out and get another loan to pay their rent.
"It's a common spiral."
Ms Labka, Reagen and Ms Naismith were united in wanting anyone who is homeless, or fears becoming homeless, to reach out.
"We're 24/7, and we've supported over 470 women and children over the past financial year," Ms Labka said.
"We cover from Warilla to Moruya, and the domestic violence hotline, Southern Cross housing, the police or the hospital can direct people to us."
Ms Naismith encouraged anyone with legal problems affecting their housing security to get in touch with Legal Aid.
"We're here to help with those problems, the easiest way is to call the office," she said.
"Even people who are working can qualify for legal aid."
Reagen said the most important step was the first one: "All the organisations link together - they all have one purpose which is to help the client have a place to call home."