Aged in her 30s, after years of physical and emotional abuse she made the decision to leave her husband. But it did not come easy.

With three children and a fourth on the way, Tori was suddenly thrown into a world of debt and despair.

In her own words, she had to start from scratch.

"With all my debt, even though I was working, it just wasn't enough," she said.

"We needed to find a bigger house and when we finally found one we were looking at paying $400 a week.

"It got to the point where we had three weeks between settlement of the [former] property and finding a house.

"Basically, we had no choice. We had to pay it otherwise we would have been left homeless."

A review of Salvation Army client data recently revealed that more than 60 per cent of people who access the organisation's Moneycare financial counselling service are women.

There has also been a 40 per cent increase in the number of people accessing financial counselling through the Salvos in the past five years - more than three in five of which were women.

For Tori, being homeless was never a position she ever thought she would be faced with.

After connecting with the Salvation Army as a "last resort", she said looking back her only regret was not asking for help sooner.

"I wish I had sucked up my pride a little bit earlier and got more help, when I desperately needed it," she said.

"A lot of it for me was pride. I went to private schools, I went to college and to university.

"Before I left my husband I had a high paying job.

"Then suddenly I wasn't able to make ends meat and provide for my kids."

Sadly, Tori's story is not unique, with one quarter of Salvation Army clients experiencing extreme housing stress, paying 70 percent of their income towards housing.

Salvation Army social operations manager for Northern Tasmania Anita Reeve said for Launceston in particular, the situation had escalated very quickly.

"This year we are seeing so many more people who are experiencing homelessness, or at risk of being homeless, living in temporary accommodation or couch surfing," she said.

"Those living on Newstart are also by far the largest group of people that we see, making up more than 40 per cent of those who come for support.

"In Launceston, we have experienced significant real estate growth.

"So finding a rental property here that is affordable for people, it is a national problem, but here it has escalated so quickly.

"It is very competitive, to find somewhere that is affordable."

Along with offering crisis support, Ms Reeve said sometimes the most important thing was just to be there for someone.

"Making choices like she [Tori] did, comes with incredible difficulties," she said.

"For us, it is really about what is happening in that situation and what can we do to alleviate either financial or emotional pressures.

"It is about working alongside them, until they can get through that crisis moment, and it can take a long time.

"There can be a lot that needs to be resolved."

While still getting back on her feet, Tori said she was feeling more optimistic about her future.

"I feel like a burden has been lifted, somewhat," she said.

"I know if I do need help, if I am really stressed on my bills, I can always come here, to the Salvos. They have really helped me and my family out."

*Names have been changed for privacy reasons.

Now in its 61^st year, The Examiner's Winter Relief Appeal helps raise vital funds for four Launceston charities: the St Vincent de Paul Society, the Launceston Benevolent Society, the Salvation Army and the Launceston City Mission.

With a fundraising target of $75,000, the community is encouraged to get behind the appeal and support those most in need this winter.

Donate in person, at The Examiner's office in Cimitiere Street or at participating businesses; through electronic funds transfer BSB 035-822, Account 011443537; or BPAY biller number 49429, reference 0100 0406190 01443537 0.

To host your own fundraising event contact The Examiner at mail@examiner.com.au.

The appeal will run from June 1 to August 31.