Sad detail in this photo exposes grim reality for thousands of Aussies

A heartbreaking photo of Aussies queueing for hot meals has exposed the dire state of the cost-of-living crisis with charities unable to keep up with demand.  

SWAG Family Sydney president Ricky Herrera photographed the scene outside one of the food collection points at Martin Place, in Sydney's CBD.

Mr Herrera's charity helps feed hundreds of people every week with stations also set up in Liverpool and Wollongong.

The queues have become an increasingly common sight around the country with hundreds recently spotted lining up at Footscray, in Melbourne's inner west. 

'What I'm seeing now, I've never seen before,' Mr Herrera told news.com.au.

'More mothers and kids sleeping in cars. We've got [the] elderly sleeping in cars.'

Mr Herrera said he also gets an extra 160 calls from people who are in need of basic necessities. 

'We've noticed an increase in people that actually have somewhere to live coming out just for food because after paying the rent, electricity and say the phone bill, they've got nothing left for shopping,' he said. 

A video uploaded to TikTok showed dozens of volunteers handing out hot meals, fresh fruit, bottled water, and cans of soft drink to hundreds of people in need. 

Mr Herrera also visits homeless people sleeping on the street at night several times a week to check if they need supplies. 

He said more people are giving him a call to tell him they have lost hope and can't see a way out of their living circumstances. 

'We've got people that are depressed, suicidal. I get calls every night from people that are just ready to give up. I'm running out to the city at 2am/3am in the morning,' he said. 

Charities operating across Australia have encountered similar scenes with long queues.

Reaching Out founder Randa Beirouti, whose charity operates in Melbourne's inner west, said it become the new norm. 

'Yes, this is a normal queue. Our numbers have grown exponentially,' she told Yahoo. 

The charity runs a stall every Monday at 5.30pm and supports those in need by providing necessities including clothes, blankets, and sleeping bags. 

Housing affordability has hit a record low with just 0.6 per cent or 289 homes out of more than 45,000 rental listings considered affordable, according to the latest figures from Anglicare Australia. 

Anglicare Australia executive director Kasy Chambers said affordable housing is no longer a reality in Australia. 

'The housing crisis is the worst it's ever been. 'This is not hyperbole. It is Australia's new normal,' she said. 

A recent report ranked Sydney as the second least affordable city in the world to buy a home.

The harbour city was ranked behind Hong Kong as the least affordable cities for housing affordability while Melbourne and Adelaide were ranked in the top ten. 

Lifeline: 13 11 14.