Pete’s Place, a vital support service for people experiencing or at risk of homelessness in Coffs Harbour, is facing a critical shortage of supplies as demand climbs ahead of the winter months in 2026.
Located at the Community Village on 22 Earl Street, the service is operated by the St Vincent de Paul Society NSW. Anna Scott, the manager of Pete’s Place and North Coast Housing and Homelessness Services, oversees the drop-in centre which currently assists an average of 70 people every day. This is a significant increase from the 15 clients a day the service saw when it first opened in 2018.
The rise in daily visitors reflects a broader struggle across New South Wales. According to the organisation, the proportion of people seeking assistance who are homeless or in temporary accommodation has jumped from 19 percent to 30 percent over the past two years. With housing costs cited as the primary expense driving cost-of-living pressures, nearly one million people across the state are now living in poverty.
Pete’s Place was established in 2018 to provide essential support, including food, clothing, and laundry facilities, following a generous bequest from local man Peter Grealy. The service was made possible through the support of the Coffs Harbour South Rotary and a grant from the Coffs Harbour Council.
Community members looking to support the service can contact Pete’s Place on 0438 931 201 or (02) 6648 3643. The centre is open for assistance from Monday to Friday, between 8:30am and 1:30pm. Previous community-led donation drives, such as those organised by the Lions Clubs, have helped restock the shelves with items like toiletries, blankets, and warm clothing.
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