Up until that point, the four young people were camping out across Queanbeyan and Canberra while searching for permanent accommodation.

Ms Howell said homelessness is a huge problem locally and finding a solution is not easy.

"It's difficult to put people into emergency accommodation, there's very little here in Queanbeyan. All the refuges have been shut down, there's only one and that's the youth refuge [for 12 - 17-year-olds]," she said.

"We've found there's a huge gap for the 18 - 25-year-olds because [they aren't eligible for youth refuges] and they don't have any rental history. Trying to get them into rental properties is a huge problem."

Ms Howell said permanent accommodation is few and far between and even short-term emergency accommodation is problematic. Short-term stays can cost about $200 for a room at a pub up to $500 for a hotel.

Ms Howell works at the St Benedict's Commuity Day Care which tries to help feed, support and most importantly house those in times of crisis.

They serve 70-80 free meals a day with Ms Howell estimating one percent of those who come each day are either living in their cars or sleeping rough.

But since St Benedict's Day Care's funding was cut late last year they rely on community donations to help others.

St Benedict's Day Care deputy chair Geoff Hoad said they were grateful for donations including most recently a contribution of $1000 from Argyle Community Housing.

Staff raised money by donating money and holding casual Friday for three months. CEO Wendy Madison matched the money raised dollar-for-dollar.

"The funding from the community is critical to the viability of St. Benedict's," Mr Hoad said.

"It works now because of the generosity and grace of the community...the money is put towards food, accommodation, support and emergency welfare."