Hidden in plain sight: the brutal reality of homelessness in a regional city

March 2, 2026

This article was first published by City of Wagga Wagga Council News on 2 March 2026. Click here to view the full article.

Mr Stephenson, who regards himself as “just your normal Aussie bloke”, said he was shocked when he ended up with nowhere to live.

He was living on the coast and working in town during the day, but at night, he was sleeping in caves.

“When I was on the coast, the caves were a few kilometres from town, but it was still within walking distance,” he said. “I was still able to get food and water.”

During his time sleeping rough from the age of 20 to 23, Mr Stephenson also slept in tents, cars, and mini cabins built from trees and tarps. His main goal was to keep out of the public eye, not wanting people to see him at his lowest.

“I honestly just tried to keep out of sight,” he said. “I didn’t want everyone to walk or drive past and see me camped somewhere. I just continued working and saving for a house to rent.”

“I think the hardest was at Wilks Park in Wagga,” he said. “It didn’t feel safe. The toilets there were absolutely feral. To the point of literally s— on the walls.”

An altercation a day was the norm at Wilks Park during Mr Stephenson’s stay. “It was just disgusting,” he said.

Mr Stephenson said while sleeping rough his mental health was stable, and he did not experience any stigma from the community, but when it came to support, the bucket was empty.

“There’s not really anything for a single man, as they triage women and children first and there’s just not enough support for everyone,” he said.

Not giving up on himself, Mr Stephenson has been able to turn his reality around and is now living in a house in Wagga.

According to Homes NSW, between 2023 and 2024, 13,217 people between 15 and 24 presented alone to a specialist homelessness service in NSW, and 17,062 were helped.

Argyle Housing chief executive Carolyn Doherty said there was a visible symptom of a deeper and growing problem across rural and regional Australia.

“It should not take media attention for someone sleeping outdoors in a regional town to be seen, heard or supported yet too often, that is exactly what it takes,” Ms Doherty said.

“This is not an isolated case. It is a visible symptom of a deeper and growing problem across rural and regional Australia.”

While people sleeping on the streets is perhaps the most confronting form of homelessness, it can also look like couch surfing and living in a vehicle.

“People living in cars or makeshift accommodation. Women escaping domestic and family violence with nowhere safe to go. Older residents facing homelessness for the first time after a relationship breakdown or rental increase. Essential workers unable to find housing close to their jobs,” Ms Doherty said.