New figures from four locally based agencies tackling the problem suggest the Border is following national trends.

They were released by the chief executive of YES Youth and Family Services, Di Glover, whose agency supports more than 400 “at risk’’ young people a year.

“We know from our direct experiences that mothers and small children are sleeping in cars, men and boys are sleeping on the riverbank and teenage children are bed-hopping across town because they have nowhere to live,” she said.

“Homelessness is on the increase across Australia.

“The Albury-Wodonga community is not exempt from this concerning social phenomena.’’

Youth homelessness has been acknowledged as a problem on the Border for at least 30 years.

Ms Glover said it was not possible to accurately measure the extent of today’s local homelessness.

Apart from the 400-plus YES clients being helped, Homes Out West had 90 homes occupied in the Albury area by low-income earners and those experiencing housing related difficulties.

Another 130 individuals or families were registered with that agency as seeking community housing options.

Also last year, Albury Supported Accommodation Service gave assistance to more than 170 adults and 180 accompanying children.

And South-West Tenants Advice Service continues to directly help about 1000 individuals or households in the Riverina-Murray area each year, Ms Glover said.

“Family breakdown, domestic violence, financial difficulties, unemployment and lack of affordable housing are but a few of the factors which contribute to homelessness in our community,’’ she said.

- Editorial — page 28