Wagga Wagga homeless woman denied emergency accommodation

A 56-year-old homeless woman was denied emergency accommodation in Wagga Wagga on August 12, despite seeking assistance through Link2Home, a New South Wales Government service. Housing advocate Leigh Swansborough documented the incident via social media, calling the service on behalf of the woman, who was unable to use a phone due to mental health issues.

During the recorded call, a Link2Home employee stated they could not arrange accommodation for a third party, suggesting the woman contact a hospital or ambulance instead. A supervisor later informed Swansborough that no temporary accommodation or services were available in Wagga Wagga due to the late hour.

While a local resident provided the woman with a place to stay for the night, she remained without secure housing. Swansborough argued the incident contradicts government claims regarding universal access to emergency shelter, noting that many hotels in the service's database lack reception after 7 pm.