As wild winds lashed the region, an Illawarra MP has called for further action to protect the homeless in the community.
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The severe weather coincided with Homelessness Week (August 4-10), an annual event that aims to raise awareness of people experiencing homelessness.
According to the Census figures, the number of homeless people in Australia increased by 13.7 per cent between 2011 and 2016.
NSW recorded a significant increase in the number of people experiencing homelessness, with the homeless rate increasing from 40.8 to 50.4 people per 10,000.
Labor Shellharbour MP Anna Watson said most disturbing is the sharp increase of women sleeping rough, with a 56 per cent increase between 2011 and 2016.
Ms Watson said Premier Gladys Berejiklian vowed to halve the number of people sleeping on the state's streets by 2025, but claimed the NSW Government's 2019-20 budget contained no additional funding to address homelessness.
"With approximately 11,400 women sleeping homeless tonight, it's time this government takes action," Ms Watson said.
"A profound shortage of affordable and available rental housing, domestic and family violence, poverty and unemployment are all contributing to homelessness in NSW.
"The rise in homelessness across NSW is staggering. I see it in Sydney, I see it in Shellharbour. It is everywhere - we have to do something.
"I will be writing to the Premier to push for immediate action. I want to know exactly how the Berejiklian Government plans on tackling homelessness."
Kiama MP Gareth Ward, also Minister for Families, Communities and Disability Services, said Ms Watson's claims that "we're not spending any money on homelessness is wrong".
"We're spending a billion dollars - a record budget for homelessness - and we're seeing more people access specialist homelessness services than ever before," he told the Mercury.
Mr Ward said the government last week launched a homelessness street count in regional areas, "ahead of a more comprehensive count in February next year".
"By getting a better indication of where people are homeless, you can better target support services and the funding that's needed."
