Homelessness

Homelessness in the Coffs Harbour area

Homelessness is a complex issue with no single solution. It is an issue of concern for the community and Council. Reducing homelessness requires long-term collaboration across agencies, social service sectors and the community.

Help shape our Homelessness Strategy

We invite you to review the draft and share your feedback via Have Your Say. Feedback closes Monday 8 September.

Share your feedback

Resources and information

Homelessness information card

With our community partners, we've developed an information card. The card is helpful for people experiencing homelessness or housing stress.

Printed copies of the card are available through key local support services. Community-facing Council staff (Customer Service, Libraries, Rangers, and Coastal Works) also share the card when it can help.

Image of the front of Council's Homelessness Information Card - text says Need help finding somewhere to stay? Image shows map of Coffs Harbour CBD with Homelessness Sector Service marked on it.(PDF, 734KB) 

Homelessness Policy

Council has endorsed a Homelessness Policy. The Policy establishes vital principles that support our work preventing and reducing homelessness and its impacts in our local area. 

The Policy informs actions aimed at:

a. Preventing, reducing and managing homelessness

b. Supporting and building capacity within the community to address homelessness

c. Developing the equity and prosperity of the city

d. Designing, developing and managing public space

e. Encouraging collaboration, community partnerships and evidence-based practices to prevent, reduce and manage homelessness. 

View Council's Homelessness Policy(PDF, 229KB)

Street count

Street Counts are conducted annually by the NSW Department of Communities and Justice to determine the number of people experiencing homelessness in towns and local government areas throughout NSW.

Gathering accurate data about the number of people experiencing homelessness is essential to deciding where to target resources and support.

In 2025, 99 people were counted in the Coffs Harbour Local Government Area – down from 147 in 2024.

Visit the NSW Government, Communities & Justice website to download the 2025 NSW State-wide Street Count Technical Paper