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As stated on the Homelessness Week website, "housing is more than just shelter. An adequate home is foundational to living a healthy life with safety, security, and a sense of wellbeing."

However, not everyone has access to adequate housing.

Off the back of Homelessness Week (August 1-7), members of the public have been invited to join the Vinnies sleep out in the Southern Highlands on August 19 to raise money to support local programs.

Figures recorded by Vinnies revealed 272 people sought assistance from Vinnies members across the Southern Highlands over the past year with 68 per cent seeking support due to a shortage of food and 50 per cent experiencing housing stress.

St Vincent de Paul Society's frontline members across Australia have also noticed an increase in the factors contributing to homelessness.

These factors include domestic and family violence, accidents and illness, death of a spouse, job loss, stagnant wages, rising rents and mortgage payments, a lack of rental properties, especially in regional areas, and rising interest rates and consumer prices across the economy.

St Vincent de Paul Society National President Claire Victory said homelessness was not something that could be anticipated or planned to avoid.

"Our members meet with families and individuals across Australia, and they're increasingly finding people shocked that they must turn to charities for food, clothing or have a safe and warm place to spend the night," she said.

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"Imagine the stress when you have young children or are escaping from a violent partner.

"Life can be unpredictable, but experiencing even the most traumatic event should never render us without a place to call home.

"The nationwide shortage of secure and affordable housing is a major challenge and a key contributor to people sleeping rough, whether outdoors, in cars or couch surfing in crowded households."

Meanwhile, Mission Australia's Without a home: First-time youth homelessness in the COVID-19 period report revealed almost one in 20 young people aged 15 to 19 who responded to Mission Australia's Youth Survey 2021 were homeless for the first time during the pandemic.

The new report reveals young Australians who recently faced youth homelessness during COVID-19 experienced high levels of psychological distress, negative impacts on wellbeing, family conflict, discrimination and other pressures.

These young Australians were first-time homeless either with or without their families, and recently spent time without a fixed address, living in a refuge or transitional accommodation, or spent time away from home because they felt they couldn't go back.

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Mission Australia's CEO, Sharon Callister while many people were fortunate enough to take sanctuary in safe, secure homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, almost one in 20 young people were plunged into homelessness for the first time.

"This report shows just how harmful the experience of youth homelessness can be for a young person's wellbeing, their life and their future," she said.

"It's clear that for young people, homelessness can often be incredibly isolating, destabilising and traumatic. This can have a ripple effect on their lives without access to the right intervention.

"We can't do nothing while young people are forced into homelessness at such a crucial time of their lives. Too many are missing out on important education and employment opportunities without the stability of a safe place to call home."

Daniel Strickland, area manager for Southern NSW and ACT Mission Australia, encouraged anyone experiencing homelessness or at risk of becoming homeless to contact Mission Australia.

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"We try to keep you in the home you are already in. If you don't have a secure home we can try to find emergency accommodation and short to long-term housing," he said.

"There are all sorts of services available. We can help you navigate Centrelink, offer life skill support, help to maintain a tenancy, and offer short and long-term housing and specialist accommodation across the state.

"We run rough sleeper outreach to check on the health and wellbeing of rough sleepers and connect them with services."

Mr Strickland said anecdotally his team had noticed an increase of people in need.

"My team has never seen this much need for our services," he said.

"The lack of affordable rental properties in regional NSW is pushing more and more people including working people and families into homelessness.

"If anyone is worried about someone who is homeless or close to it they can contact us to help."

Mission Australia has several services that can assist residents in need.

You can also donate to Mission Australia here.

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