Poverty inquiry told housing crisis and lack of support 'very distressing' as demand outstrips supply

A Senate inquiry is hosting hearings around to Australia to examine the issue of poverty. (ABC North Coast: Emma Rennie)

A Senate inquiry has heard that while poverty has become "an industry" in Australia, frontline workers are still having to scrounge up donations to help those forced into homelessness.

The cross-party federal inquiry held a hearing in Lismore on Tuesday, nearly a year after record flooding in northern NSW left thousands in the area homeless.