The service is averaging emergency support for at least 14 families and individuals each week and team leader the Rev’d Helen Holliday said the need is still great and increasing.

"Our region has a population of 48,000 and remains one of the most disadvantaged postcodes in the state. Our indigenous population suffers most, with a high proportion of males in that community incarcerated for drug and alcohol related crimes and education levels remaining below those of others in the community," said the Rev’d Holliday.

With a shortage of affordable rental properties, 1 per cent vacancy rate in Taree combined with the cost of housing, Samaritans believes more and more community members will face homelessness or at least suffer housing stress and live with the fear of homelessness.

In response to this a Samaritans Homelessness worker has been working for 12 months collating data, mapping the problem and identifying existing services to the homeless in Taree.

From this data a decision was made to have a Taree Homeless Connect Day on October 27 to provide support services to the homeless in the region. A committee of 25 people from Local, State and Federal Government, along with non-government service providers have attended three planning meetings to date.

Committee spokesperson, Helen Fielder-Gill said, "Being a regional centre, homelessness in Taree is even more hidden than in other areas. The committee believes that the key to help identify and provide effective solutions to the issue of homelessness lies in connecting the community and its service providers."

Samaritans will also be better placed to respond to the issue of homelessness in the Manning Valley being one of eight service providers across NSW that have been granted a share of $15.3 million to run homelessness services.

Currently in its planning stages, the Tenancy Support Service Mid North Coast will provide assistance to help families with children maintain tenancies. It will provide both brokerage and case management support to those at risk of or those already homeless.