with Mark Hodges MP

On the night of Saturday 17 August , I joined the community of The Hills at the Annual Hills Winter Sleepout , an event to raise vital funds and awareness for homelessness in The Hills , across NSW and Australia . It was an eye-opening experience for many .

Homelessness is a rising issue in NSW and Australia . Across the country , over 122,000 people are without stable housing , including more than 35,000 people in NSW alone . These figures have risen alarmingly in recent years . The 2024 Statewide Street Count recorded 2,037 people sleeping rough in New South Wales - a staggering 26 per cent rise from the

previous year . We are a homelessness crisis .

According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics , in 2021 across Australia , a shocking 28,204 youth aged 12- 24 years , and 19,378 older Australians aged 55 and over were experiencing homelessness . Recent data from the 2024 Mission Australia ’ s Youth Survey Homelessness Report reveals even more disturbing statistics . Among those aged 15 to 19 , close to 1 in 10 youth experienced homelessness in the past year .

Nearly half of these young people reported feelings of loneliness , mental health struggles , and difficulties socialising and maintaining relationships . The primary reasons they seek help are housing crises , family and

domestic violence , and relationship breakdowns .

Unfortunately , services and resources available for these vulnerable groups are stretched thin . Wait times for Link2Home skyrocketed from seven minutes to nearly 39 minutes between June 2023 and June 2024 . Our homelessness sector is under immense pressure to prevent and address homelessness , further compounded by rising cost-of-living pressures .

As we look to the future , it is crucial that we invest not only in immediate relief and long-term solutions that address the underlying causes of homelessness . This includes targeted support for

vulnerable groups , such as youth , seniors , First Nations people , and those with disabilities , and ensuring that our homelessness services have the resources they need to respond effectively .

By focusing on both prevention and sustainable solutions , we can work towards a future where every person in NSW has access to safe and secure housing . It is our collective responsibility to ensure that no one is left without a place to call home .

If you or someone you know is at risk of homelessness , contact Link2Home at 1800 152 152 .

If experiencing domestic , family , or sexual violence , contact 1800RESPECT at 1800 737 732 .

with Ray Williams MP

Sign petition to stop the gross overdevelopment of Kellyville and Bella Vista

The Minns Labor Government are proposing to build an extra 21,000 new apartments between Kellyville and Bella Vista Metro stations without any new roads , rail , schools or playing fields .

Please scan the QR code and sign the petition opposing this unsustainable overdevelopment . Alternately you can visit my website for the link : www . raywilliamsmp . com . au . Rouse Hill Rhinos Pink Day It was wonderful attending the Rouse Hill Rhinos Pink Day . This was their 14th annual Pink Day and they have raised in excess of $ 120,000 over the past 14 years

for The Breast Cancer foundation and other local charities . This is an amazing local team doing amazing things for their club , the community and beyond . Well done !!

Sydney Metro extension to city – now open

One of the lasting legacies of the previous Liberal Government was the Sydney Metro , a world class and award-

winning piece of infrastructure which started right here in The Hills Shire . The $ 7.3 billion Metro NorthWest line came in $ 1 billion under budget and was delivered ahead of schedule . The extension of the line from Chatswood , then underneath Sydney Harbour and all the way to Sydenham is an engineering feat and is saving commuters hours of time that can be better spent with their families .