Family violence and a rise in cost of living is driving an unprecedented rise in homeless in Walgett. 

Figures released by Homeless NSW show the LGA with the highest rate of homelessness is Walgett Shire (285 people per 10,000), followed by the Sydney City (170) and Burwood (160).

Other regional areas in the top 10 included Central Darling Shire Council in the state's far west (104.3), Griffith (83.4) and Junee (70.1). 

Kellie Maxwell, management specialist homelessness services for Mission Australia in Walgett, Lightning Ridge and Brewarrina said there has been a large increase in the number of people asking for help from her agency in the last three years. 

“We are getting people in the last two years who have never experienced homelessness coming to us for help” she explained. 

Image: The Daily Liberal. 

Ms Maxwell says that the cost of living, high rents on the private market and family violence were driving the increase. 

“What we are mostly seeing is people couch surfing, so a lot of it is hidden homeless” she explained. 

“But how do keep a job when you're homeless? How do you get your kids to school? Being homeless really has an impact on people”. 

It comes as Treasurer Danile Mookhey announced that 30,000 new homes including 8,400 public housing dwellings in the NSW State Budget delivered on Tuesday. 

Following an audit, the government has selected 44 state-owned sites on which to build the extra homes, but is yet to announce where those 44 sites are in the state. 

Ms Maxwell said she wanted to see more income support for those on government benefits and more affordable housing.

Those who are homeless in the Walgett shire will be waiting to see how many, if any, new options will be made available to them.