Spending the night in freezing temperatures has become normal for him.

While most people look forward to snuggling up in bed after a long day, Conner dreads the setting of the sun.

"It sucks," he said bluntly.

"[Tonight] I'll probably just take meth and walk around."

Conner said that's the way it has always been for him.

"I just want a break," he said.

"I don't know what to do."

Conner is currently on the waiting list for nine rehabilitation centres.

"[The wait] could be three weeks or three months," he said.

This is the reality for hundreds of people across the Shoalhaven.

Conner is telling his story at the Shoalhaven Homeless Hub, a day-time sanctuary for people who sleep rough.

The promise of a hot shower, a strong cup of coffee and a comfy chair in the morning is sometimes the only thing getting people through the night.

Kerri Snowden is at the head of this makeshift family.

"[People sleeping rough] come here because it's warm but at night they have to go back out on the street," Kerri said.

"Going home at night to my warm house and leaving them is not a nice feeling."

Kerri said the cold weather escalated mental health issues.

"What worries me is they are getting more and more unwell," Kerri said.

With the region's shelters and safe houses at capacity the hub has experienced an increase in clients.

In April 2019 263 people used the service.

"There is always going to be a waiting list but things aren't getting better," Kerri said.

Mitchell (not his real name) is a regular at the Homeless Hub.

He said when you sleep rough "you have to stay away from the public".

Mitchell often sleeps hidden along the river and stressed the need for homeless people to stay away from society.

"We go out of our way to stay out of trouble," Mitchell said.

Mitchell said most people on the street ended up on anti-depressants or anti-psychotics due to the stress of living outside.

"The medication makes you lose your identity," Mitchell said.

"I spent one and a half hours looking for my car yesterday.

"I couldn't remember where I parked it."

Mitchell said private rentals were like a carrot on a stick.

The average weekly rent in Nowra is $336 for a two-bedroom house and $245 for a unit, according to Domain data.

The maximum Newstart payment for a single person with no children is $277.85 per week.

Messy handwriting and poor spelling, coupled with forgetfulness and limited resources, means Mitchell struggles with the paperwork and appointments required to get assisted housing.

"We have to look after each other," Mitchell said.

"[Being homeless] is a waste of a good life."

The Shoalhaven Homeless Hub is in dire need of donations.

To donate visit the hub at 27 Junction street Nowra or head to www.shoalhavenhomelesshub.com.au.