The Wodonga man, who doesn't want to use his surname, has been experiencing homelessness for half of his life and three years ago he broke his back after falling 15 metres from a bridge into the river.

But the 44-year-old is hoping by sharing his story during Homelessness Week he will be able to shine a light on the growing homeless problem on the Border.

"The easy part is falling into homelessness - any one can do that," he told The Border Mail.

"I never wanted to be a couch hopper and wear out my welcome and lose friends over it so it was just easier to live on the streets."

Brad has been living in a unit for eight months after accessing support from BeyondHousing and Junction Support Services.

But it has taken him more than 20 years to "follow through".

"The hardest part is accessing the facilities and services for homeless people, they are crap in Wodonga," he said.

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"You just get your hopes up and then it all falls through so it is simply easier to be living on the streets."

Walking around his old campsite Brad said it takes a certain type of person to live on the streets.

"They call us campers, because that is what we are, this becomes our home," he said.

"You live with the bare minimum," he said.

"The food part is very tricky - you tend to have a good feed every three days if you are lucky.

"The mental part of it is the hardest - no radio, no people, no company."

But he isn't shying away from how tough it was not having any security.

"I got sick and tired of people stealing from me," he said.

"Three or four times they came and took everything, I had a tent set up here at one stage and they just rolled it up and took the whole lot."

Brad admits alcohol and homelessness go "hand in hand".

"It helps you sleep," he said.

"It takes years to be able to convince yourself that there is nothing you can do about if someone is going to come and rob and bash you so you just have to sleep.

"That really takes a toll on you - the constant worry that someone is going to come and take everything from you.

"After living on the streets for over 20 years I just got sick of it and I had to bite the bullet and go and see the services available.

"But you do worry that it is just going to go around and around and you won't ever get anywhere.

"I am still a bit speechless to be honest, I still have that constant thought that it is just all going to fall apart.

"I like to come back and check on the boys and make sure they are alright.

"This is my chance to give a bit back I want to become a bit of an advocate for the homeless because the resources for people in Wodonga are hopeless."

Brad urges people living on the streets to take care of themselves and try and seek help where they can.

"Keep safe, keep warm and keep your head up," he said.

More than 1000 people have sought assistance for themselves and their families so far this year from Wodonga support agencies.

The region's homelessness agencies will hold a barbecue lunch fundraiser on Thursday from 11.30am in Junction Square, Wodonga.

The Hume Region Homelessness Network will host the community event and proceeds will be used to assist local people in crisis.