"JUST because you can't see it on the streets, doesn't mean it isn't occurring".
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Those are the thoughts of Michelle Kilgower, who is the program manager of the Salvation Army's Murrumbidgee accommodation and housing service.
As part of Homelessness Week recently, Ms Kilgower has been highlighting the issue here.
A number of factors are contributing to the issue here, including a lack of affordable housing, high rent prices, the continued increase of the cost of living and more.
National Homelessness Week ran from August 1 to August 7, but Ms Kilgower said it was important to highlight the seriousness of just how many people in the shire were without proper accommodation no matter the time of year.
IN OTHER NEWS:
"People are rough sleeping and they are dying, they are passing away," she said.
"Climate change is also having an impact. We've got rough sleepers around here.
"We have an idea of where they are and where they are at. We have got to keep an eye on them, but as is the case with many things, we're always after more help."
In Australia there are over 116,000 people experiencing homelessness on any given night.
Homelessness Week aimed to raise awareness of the impact of homelessness throughout Australia.
Here in the Murrumbidgee that means people can seek help with groups such as the Leeton Salvation Army and the Leeton Community Op Shop.
The two came together to put together a window display in the op shop's Pine Avenue window to highlight "couch surfing" with its prevalence also on the rise in the area.
"That's people who don't have a home and are relying on friends or family to take them in on the couch for a night or two ... people would be surprised how often that happens here in Leeton," Ms Kilgower said.
"It's such an important issue. We need to make sure we can assist where we can, but we need all of the proper services in play to do this."
If you or someone you know needs help in the shire, phone the Murrumbidgee homelessness contact number on 0418 634 047.
Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can access our trusted content:
- Bookmark www.irrigator.com.au
- Make sure you are signed up for our breaking and regular headlines newsletters
- Follow us on Twitter
- Follow us on Instagram
- Follow us on Google News