Homelessness in the Byron Shire

Homelessness is a complex issue, but it is solvable.

We’re working with others to ensure that everyone in Byron Shire has a safe, secure and affordable place to call home.

We’ve seen a large increase in housing stress and homelessness across Byron Shire in recent years.

The 2026 Street Count conducted by Department of Communities and Justice, found Byron Shire LGA had the second-highest number of people sleeping rough (245) in NSW. Second only to the City of Sydney.

Working with others we aim to:

End homelessness, starting with rough sleeping (Ending rough Sleeping Collaboration Byron Shire).
Support people in need of a home to get the support and services they need.
Take a compassionate and proactive approach to the management of public spaces.
Increase affordable housing through land and housing initiatives.

Ending Rough Sleeping Collaboration Byron Shire

Find out what we are doing to end rough sleeping in the Byron Shire.

1000 Voices Byron Shire

1000 Voices is a community-led project listening to community voices to understand homelessness in Byron Shire and shape our local solutions.

Public Space Liaison Officers

We provide support to people rough sleeping or living with homelessness by resourcing two Public Space Liaison Officer positions.

Submit a welfare concern for someone experiencing homelessness

Complete the form to submit a welfare concern for someone experiencing homelessness.

Please call 000 if you are concerned a person is at immediate risk of harm to themselves or others, needs medical assistance, is under 18 or is with someone who is under 18.

Help for people experiencing homelessness

Get contact details for emergencies, food, housing and other homelessness support services.

Affordable Housing

Learn about some of the initiatives being taken to address housing affordability in our Shire.

In the news

Council proposing MoU with Homes NSW to deliver more housing

Byron Shire Council is aiming to develop a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Homes NSW to focus on faster delivery of new social and affordable housing on sites like the former Mullumbimby Hospital site.

Thanks to everyone who took part in 1000 Voices Byron Shire

The 1000 Voices Byron Shire survey has now closed, marking a milestone in an extraordinary community journey to unlock barriers to solving homelessness.

Street Count numbers down but still second-highest in NSW

The number of people sleeping rough in Byron Shire has fallen but the Shire still has the second-highest level of rough sleepers in NSW, according to the State Government’s 2026 Street Count.
A total of 245 people were counted sleeping rough across the Shire which is down from 291 in 2025 but second only to the City of Sydney.