The number of rough sleepers in NSW has jumped 34 per cent in the past year with one regional area surpassing Sydney.
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The Byron Bay local government area topped the 2023 street count with 300 people sleeping rough - nearly double its 2021 result.
The City of Sydney counted 277 people and Tweed Valley recorded 145, towards a statewide total of 1623.
NSW homelessness minister Rose Jackson said the 2023 street count revealed more people were sleeping rough in the regions.
![NSW homelessness jumps 34 per cent in 12 months. Picture file NSW homelessness jumps 34 per cent in 12 months. Picture file](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/silverstone-feed-data/44f29865-9e88-49f9-ba73-8c0a8cf20813.jpg/r0_62_800_512_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
"It is deeply concerning to see rising numbers of people sleeping rough," Ms Jackson said.
"We need to do better, we need to drive these numbers down and provide our most vulnerable with access to safe and secure housing."
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There were a further 294 locations, such as makeshift camps or sleeping bags, where it appeared people were sleeping rough but no one was present during the count.
Overall the Mid North Coast, New England and Northern NSW district had the most rough sleepers statewide.
"We must ensure we are supporting our regional and rural communities," Ms Jackson said.
"I have seen firsthand the housing issues experienced in regional and rural areas."
Ms Jackson said she wanted to accelerate social housing developments to ensure people living in the regions could also access safe, stable housing.
'Long way to go' to tackle issue
Ms Jackson said the NSW Government's plan to drive down homelessness numbers centred around delivering more social housing and support services.
"You can't solve homelessness without housing - that is why are creating Homes NSW, auditing NSW Government land to identify options for more housing, freezing the sale of public housing and working with our Commonwealth partners to deliver the much needed Social Housing Accelerator payment," she said.
The government has previously announced a two-year extension of Specialist Homelessness Services contracts to June 30, 2026.
![NSW Homelessness Minister Rose Jackson says the government has a "long way to go" on the issue. Picture by Brendon Thorne/AAP Photos NSW Homelessness Minister Rose Jackson says the government has a "long way to go" on the issue. Picture by Brendon Thorne/AAP Photos](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/silverstone-feed-data/ba09a3ae-4402-4d48-94f6-aa7b67abbbc4.jpg/r0_21_800_471_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
It's also suspending a requirement for people in temporary accommodation to complete a rental diary for 12 months while the process is reviewed.
"To be clear, these initiatives are just the start, there is so much more that needs to be done to support our homelessness community - our aim is that experiences of homelessness are rare, brief and not repeated," Ms Jackson said.
"We know we have a long way to go in achieving that goal."