Monday marks the start of Homelessness Week and this year more people than ever before are struggling to find safe, secure housing.

On any given night in the Kiama Local Government Area (LGA) almost 150 people are experiencing homelessness, according to the latest Australian Bureau of Statistics census.

That number is likely higher given the last census was in 2021 and the nation is now in the grip of a cost-of-living crisis.

Rental data figures shows almost 40 per cent of households across the Kiama and Shoalhaven LGAs are in rental stress and more than 1000 households are on a waiting list for social housing.

With the cost of affordable housing out of reach for many Australians, the nation’s peak homeless body Homeless Australia is calling for increased funding for service providers to meet an increasing demand.

The campaign “No-one turned away” is calling for more money to be injected into the sector, with Homelessness Australia saying service providers have to make “excruciating decisions every day” around who to help and who to turn away.

Homelessness Australia says more than 45 per cent of women and girls seeking homelessness support have experienced domestic and family violence. The peak body also reported an alarming spike in the number of homeless females, up 20 per cent from 24, 517 in May 2022 to 29,449 in March.

Overall, the number of Australians at risk of homelessness has increased 63 per cent between 2016 and 2022.

Shoalhaven LGA is one of the hardest-hit with a NSW Regional Housing Needs Report, released by Shelter NSW in 2023, showing the area scored 9/10 for people experiencing financial stress associated with housing.

While rental stress primarily affected low income earners, with many paying more than 30 per cent of their income to cover their mortgage or rent, many middle-income earners are now having to choose between paying for rent, food, electricity or heating.

Kiama, Gerringong and Berry community members have stepped up to fill service gaps by providing warm clothes, blankets, sleeping bags, toiletries and food to those in need.

Local businesswoman Kerry Fahey and Care Essentials founder Margie Tweedie, along with an army of dedicated volunteers, have collected, sorted, packed and handed out donated clothing, toiletries, food, blankets and sleeping bags to vulnerable community members for the past two winters.

Every week Kerry, the owner of Kerry’s Klothes in Kiama, and a group of volunteers hand out donations alongside the Nanak Community Kitchen, a charity providing home-cooked food to those in need in the Shoalhaven.

"Kerry and her team front up every Sunday rain, hail or shine with community donations of clothing and food and every week it all goes,” says Margie.

“Together we've probably handed out over 600 blankets this winter and easily that amount of scarves, beanies, socks and gloves . We've also donated more that 200 sleeping bags and over 400 care packs. Syd from Bakers Delight Kiama also generously provides bread every week.

Margie has made up 60 care packs with travel-size toiletries for Kerry and her team to distribute on Sunday. She will also deliver another 80 care packs of full-size toiletries to the Shoalhaven Homeless Hub on Wednesday when staff host a lunch for homelessness week. The care packs will also include scarves, beanies and socks.

“People from across the Kiama LGA, along with some amazing contacts from Sydney who donate regularly, have really taken this on board and are helping to fill some of the gaps left by homelessness services struggling to meet demands,” says Margie.

Volunteer groups across the region, including Creating for Charity make the drawstring bags which Margie packs full of donated toiletries. The craft group also sews tote bags, library bags and sanitary pouches to add to Margie’s care packs.

Knit4Charities makes beautiful knitted toys for the backpacks Margie has also started packing for domestic violence service providers after waiting times for buddy bags - a company which provides backpacks filled with items to comfort distressed children - blew out due to high demand.

“Knit4Charities has also provided hundreds of handmade blankets, scarves and beanies,” says Margie. “Such generous support from fabulous volunteer groups is invaluable.”

Margie says collecting and packing donated items to help those most in need allows her “to give back”.

"I have all the things I need to make up the care packs thanks to generous donations from the local community,” says Margie. “I’m retired now, so I have time to try and make a small difference to those who are more vulnerable."

Homelessness Week runs from August 4-10.