UnitingSA says its services are experiencing unprecedented demand with 80 rough sleepers receiving support and a further 145 on a waitlist for help.

It’s a situation mirrored at UnitingSA’s emergency relief services, who are also under high demand assisting clients with food vouchers and non-perishable food.

Earlier this month, The Advertiser reported that the number of rough sleepers helped in the Port Adelaide Enfield council region jumped from 161 in 2021-22 to 234 in 2023-24*.

UnitingSA CEO, Jenny Hall says that growth is continuing in 2025.

“A senior member of staff who has worked for the organisation for 18 years, says she has never seen this high number of people sleeping in tents and sleeping bags in the Port Adelaide region before.”

UnitingSA is the lead agency for the Adelaide North West Homelessness Alliance (ANWHA) which includes Aboriginal Sobriety Group, AnglicareSA, Centacare, SA Housing Authority, St John’s Youth Services, The Salvation Army and Uniting Communities.

“We normally get about 200 referrals a month. That’s 200 people who are currently homeless or at risk of homelessness needing support in the north west of Adelaide.

“On top of that, we’ve had over 300 walk-ins at our service in the west so far this year. That’s over and above those being referred to us through the usual systems.

“That number doesn’t include people who are couch surfing or staying with friends – and others that we check in on who could benefit from support but haven’t reached out for help yet.”

UnitingSA says the growth in homelessness is coming from adults squeezed out of the rental market, with two groups most impacted:

  • people on a Disability Support Pension
  • older adults aged 50+

The human face of homelessness

Ms Hall says many people are facing homelessness through no fault of their own.

“For example, a caseworker is helping a man in his 50s who has lived in the same private rental since he moved out of his parents’ home in his 20s. Three decades later, he’s facing homelessness while trying to navigate his legal rights and understand the rental market that is vastly different to the one he navigated 30 years ago. All this while hoping he will find a place that will also let him take his pet.”

Donations needed now

UnitingSA says it desperately needs donations in support of its ‘Hope Sweet Hope’ Winter Appeal.

“Financial donations are vital as they enable us to target support where it is most needed including assistance with bill relief,” says Ms Hall.

The organisation is also calling for in-kind donations of non-perishable food, and unused warm bedding, winter clothing, tents and sleeping bags.

“We’re calling on our community to give what they can,” says Ms Hall

“We believe those without a home, should never be without hope.”

Ways your financial donation can help this year:

  • $20 will buy three hearty meals for a rough sleeper
  • $50 provides a week of petrol for the school run
  • $80 covers a vital medical appointment
  • $100 provides a rough sleeper with basic necessities
  • $200 pays for an average SA family’s weekly groceries
  • $1,000 assists a family to pay two weeks’ rent in advance (bond) to secure housing

CEO, Jenny Hall, is available for interview.

Media contact:
Shannon Short
0466 419 528

* Source: Advertiser June 16 2025