Most people's idea of a homeless person is an old man lying in the park, passed out with a bottle in a brown paper bag in hand.
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It is that very image that Homeless Persons' Week aims to combat this year, highlighting that only 6 per cent of those classed as homeless are actually living on the streets.
"There's a focus on rough sleepers, but that's only a small part of the homeless population," said acting boss of Homelessness Australia, Lynne Evans.
"Most are in temporary housing, with friends, in supported or crisis accommodation."
The theme of this year's Homeless Persons' Week is "the hidden homeless".
Homelessness Australia identifies four groups as people who are at higher risk of homelessness: people in housing stress, people experiencing family violence, people staying with other households, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders.
"Those people don't really consider themselves to be homeless, which is a problem itself in accessing help," Ms Evans said.
She said problems facing these groups were often seen as less serious than those facing rough sleepers. However, not having a permanent home presented its own challenges; constant moving, children forced to change schools, lack of stable community networks, and even simple things like not having a postal address for mail to be sent to.
"Everyone needs a home to be safe, secure and connected to the community. If you're moving around, you have a roof but not a permanent home," she said.
In a rich nation like Australia, homelessness is a bigger problem than many may think. More than 105,000 people were classed as homeless in the 2011 census, up from 90,000 in 2006.
Julie Mitchell, manager of Wollongong Emergency Family Housing, said the real number was probably even higher.
"I think it's underestimated. In my experience, people don't like to admit they are homeless or staying with someone else," she said.
Ms Mitchell's organisation runs 47 properties across the region, housing more than 500 people experiencing homelessness. Combined with outreach and early intervention programs, Wollongong Emergency Family Housing assisted almost 900 Illawarra families in the last financial year alone.
Dozens of people came out for Emergency Family Housing's drop-in day on Wednesday, which offered free haircuts, toiletry and food packs, and assistance with Centrelink paperwork.
Ms Mitchell said such basic items could have a huge impact for homeless people.
"We take these for granted. People call us from family garages, say they don't have a shower, or access to a laundry to wash clothes," she said.
"It's about presentation in a competitive rental market. You're up against a well-dressed couple with nice clothes, so looking nice can be a big difference. This makes people feel good about themselves, boosts self-esteem, gets them re-engaged with the community."
Ms Mitchell said it was important to recognise the challenges the "hidden homeless" face, and to acknowledge a stable home as the cornerstone of life.
"Our basic need is shelter. Once you have that met, you can go on and achieve things in life," she said.