Port Macquarie-Hastings homelessness rises as housing project push continues

Homelessness in the Port Macquarie-Hastings region has seen a significant increase, with recent street count data showing the number of people sleeping rough rose by 68 per cent over the past year. The count rose from 69 people in 2025 to 116 in 2026.

In response, Member for Port Macquarie Robert Dwyer is advocating for the acceleration of the Grant Street development project. The project is intended to provide 28 social housing units and 66 affordable housing units to the community.

Theo Hazelgrove, chairperson of Camden Haven Community at 3, noted that the development could alleviate significant hardship in the area. The organization also previously attempted to secure funding to convert a hotel in Kew into transitional accommodation, though that effort was unsuccessful.