One of Port’s leading welfare providers said some of the community’s most vulnerable people were often being asked to vacate for tourists in school holidays.

It’s a practice the Caravan and Camping Association of NSW said it wasn’t aware of and unlikely to happen – given the laws and ethics its members uphold.

The Salvation Army has expressed concern for those homeless who are coming forward in greater numbers at holiday times.

Envoy Howard Koutis said it was “without fail” in tourist times on the Tomaree Peninsula.

“It’s in those school holidays when we definitely see more people,” he said.

“They come in and say ‘I’m living in my car’ and they’re after help with food but also financial assistance from our state office.

Envoy Koutis raised the issue on the eve of the Red Shield Appeal.

Those clients who arrive at the Salamander Bay store receive items like tinned spaghetti and frozen lasagna with assistance from Oz Harvest.

“Accommodation prices are definitely higher during the holidays and that’s a contributing factor,” Envoy Koutis said

Raymond Terrace based Port Stephens Family and Neighbourhood Services said homelessness was a challenge at the best of times.

“The situation isn’t getting any better,” PFANS co-manager Colleen Whittle said.

“During holiday times if they’re in holiday parks or temporary accommodation they’re asked to move out. 

“It’s not so bad over Winter but we can’t source temporary accommodation over Summer.”

Ms Whittle said it came down to affordable housing.

“Importantly, we need a government that’s willing to meet the needs of these people,” she said. 

“Affordable housing would definitely help.”

PFANS holds the government contract to move homeless people into transitional properties.

Clients can stay at these properties for up to 18 months to establish a rental history before they find permanent accommodation in private housing or a rent-subsidised home through Housing NSW. 

Centrelink, Family and Community Services and Housing NSW contribute to the 600 referrals PFANS assesses each year.

“We’re taking 50 a month and there are limits on the number of homes we have and some people drop out,” Ms Whittle said. 

A spokeswoman for the Caravan and Camping Industry Association said she wasn’t aware of people being asked to leave short-term accommodation to free-up holiday lets.

“They are businesses acting according to regulatory controls which stipulate the environment under which they operate,” she said. 

Under the Local Government Act a person must not be permitted to stay in a moveable dwelling on a short-term site for more than 150 days in any 12 month period, unless the moveable vehicle is a holiday van and the person is the owner of that holiday van.

“Demand is very high in holiday periods and is usually booked months, if not years, in advance,” the spokeswoman said.

“The Association’s code of ethics [also] requires members to comply with the law.” 

Port Stephens Council said it had only two permanent residents across its five holiday parks who were “never asked to leave during peak periods”.

Homelessness is a movable target, Envoy Koutis said.

“A lot of people sleep in cars when there’s a misconception they don’t own cars… homelessness can also sleeping on friends’ couches.”