The problem is far more insidious – and much greater – than the stereotype suggests, says the region’s welfare and family and social services organisations.

At least one in 200 men, women and children across Australia are homeless on any given night, a fundraising rally at Albury TAFE heard yesterday.

Closer to home the last Census revealed 1500 people were homeless in the Hume region and that figure was steadily rising.

To mark the start of this week’s national Homelessness Prevention Week, students in the community services course at the Albury campus organised a presentation and fundraising barbecue to raise awareness of the issue.

“The problems that can lead to homelessness are often quite complex and every individual’s circumstances are unique,” student Jess Bolton told the gathering.

“It’s not always about sleeping rough under a bridge – many of our homeless are couch surfers or living in shelters or refuges.

“And the sad truth is the figures are steadily rising.”

Through her TAFE course, student Sue Crawford was inspired to make a very comfy and brightly coloured purple swag, which was donated to Albury’s specialist homelessness service, The Homeward Alliance, yesterday.

“I just felt that making something practical like a swag could be handy for someone to keep them warm and just a little bit safer at this time of year,” Ms Crawford said.

Tim Carter, from The Homeward Alliance, said the level of homelessness in the region was actually far greater than anybody realised – or saw.

“It’s not necessarily the stereotypical image we might have of someone sleeping in a cardboard box on the street,” he said.

“It’s people forced to live with other relatives or to go from friend to friend, or friends of friends.

“The alliance will be able to use this swag to offer assistance to someone struggling with homelessness in the short-term – to be able to put their swag on the floor somewhere and to be just a little bit self-sufficient.

“It’s not about giving them a swag and saying off you go now and sleep out in the cold.”

Mr Carter accepted the swag and a donation from the students on behalf of the alliance, which includes YES Youth and Family Services, the St Vincent de Paul Society and Woomera Aboriginal Corporation.

The alliance helps co-ordinate a range of homelessness services from crisis and temporary accommodation options to support into longer term housing solutions.