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‘Time to turbocharge’: NSW can’t fix the housing crisis until it doubles down on social and affordable housing

Media release

23 June 2026

The 2026 NSW State Budget has made a good start on housing, but the measures won’t be enough to help the over 70,000 households on the social housing waitlist unless it doubles down on investing in social and affordable rental housing, says the Community Housing Industry Association NSW (CHIA NSW).

CHIA NSW CEO Luke Achterstraat welcomed new supply measures in the budget but said they must be scaled up to turbocharge the delivery of more homes through the community housing industry.

“There’s genuinely good policy in this budget. The investment in new modular and prefabricated housing initiatives is bold thinking which has long-term potential to deliver more homes, more quickly, to the people that need it most.

“Extending the Pre-Sale Finance Guarantee to not-for-profit community housing providers with affordable housing projects valued up to $30 million was also the right call.

“The NSW Government also deserves credit for its innovative approach to housing and for locking in a historic pipeline of long-term investment through $6.6 billion Building Homes for NSW program, which was first announced in 2024 and is already delivering great outcomes.

“The Budget’s housing measures provide a strong foundation, but the scale of the crisis means further investment in social and affordable housing is urgently required.

“There are now more than 70,000 households on the social housing waiting list in NSW, highlighting the scale of unmet need across the state.”

Mr Achterstraat said not-for-profit community housing providers are already partnering with government to deliver more homes quickly and efficiently.

“Community housing providers have a proven track record of leveraging government investment, partnering with the private sector and delivering high-quality homes for people who need them most.

“The foundations of this budget are positive. The next step is to build on this momentum and accelerate investment in social and affordable housing so that more people can access a safe, secure and affordable home.

“Addressing the housing crisis requires every available tool. Today’s measures are an important part of the solution, but they should be seen as the beginning of the next phase of housing delivery, not the end.”

Media contact: Tamara Kotoyan, 0430 291 890 or Bron Matherson, 0438 844 765 

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Community housing must be part of NSW Budget housing solution

Media release

19 June 2026

The NSW Government should use next week’s State Budget to unlock a major expansion of community housing, backing one of the most effective solutions to the housing crisis.

Community Housing Industry Association (CHIA) NSW CEO Luke Achterstraat said community housing was a critical piece of the housing puzzle and needed to be backed by long-term investment.

“We’d like to see a commitment of $2.3 billion per year to a long-term program of upfront capital grants and government land contributions to help sustain a generational increase in social and affordable housing supply.

“These asks would complement the NSW Government’s $6.6 billion Building Homes for NSW program by supporting the delivery of more social and affordable homes where they are needed the most.

“Housing supply must come in all forms and that includes increasing social and affordable housing through not-for-profit community housing providers.”

Community housing providers provide more than 67,000 safe, secure and affordable rental homes for people who are unable to access appropriate housing through the private market, while leveraging government investment to attract additional finance and increase supply.

Mr Achterstraat said the upcoming Budget presented an opportunity for the government to accelerate the delivery of social and affordable housing across NSW.

“We can’t rely on supply as a single solution. We need planning reform, we need more supply and we need targeted investment in social and affordable housing.”

With a state election approaching, Mr Achterstraat also called on the Opposition to outline its own housing plans.

“People across NSW want solutions, not political point-scoring,” he said.

“Criticising government housing policy is easy. Voters deserve to know what alternatives are being proposed and how they will help people struggling to keep a roof over their head.

“The housing puzzle is sitting in front of us. Community housing is one of the key pieces. The NSW Government cannot afford to leave it in the box.”

Media contact: Bron Matherson, 0438 844 765 or Tamara Kotoyan, 0430 291 890 

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NSW energy upgrade support should extend to social and affordable housing

Media release

17 June 2026

Helping low and middle-income households access no-interest loans for home energy upgrades is a welcome step, but vulnerable renters in social and affordable housing must not be left behind, the Community Housing Industry Association NSW (CHIA NSW) says.

The call follows reports the NSW Government will provide eligible low and middle-income households with up to $15,000 in no-interest loans to install solar panels, batteries and other energy-saving upgrades.

CHIA NSW CEO Luke Achterstraat said the pre-budget announcement recognised the growing pressure rising energy costs and extreme weather were placing on households across the state.

“Helping low and middle-income households improve the energy efficiency of their homes is a positive step that will reduce power bills and improve comfort year-round, but many of the people most vulnerable to high energy costs and extreme temperatures are living in ageing social and affordable housing,” Mr Achterstraat said.

“As we move through winter, too many low-income households are living in homes that are difficult and expensive to keep warm. The same properties often become unbearably hot during summer.

“Vulnerable tenants in older social and affordable housing are among those most exposed to extreme weather, and they’re also among the least able to absorb rising energy costs.

“These are the households that stand to benefit most from energy upgrades, yet they are often the ones missing out.”

Mr Achterstraat said CHIA NSW is calling on the NSW Government to make a significant investment in upgrading ageing social and affordable housing as part of the upcoming State Budget including:

  • A $1 billion investment over four years to expand the NSW Social Housing Energy Performance Initiative and accelerate upgrades to ageing public and community housing properties.
  • Reform of the NSW Energy Savings Scheme to better support large-scale energy efficiency upgrades across social housing portfolios.
  • The establishment of a Social Housing Retrofit Accelerator to coordinate energy upgrades and support the rollout of home energy performance disclosure.”

“Investing in energy upgrades for social and affordable housing is good social policy, good economic policy and good environmental policy,” Mr Achterstraat said.

“It lowers energy bills, improves health outcomes, reduces pressure on the electricity grid and helps cut emissions.

“Extreme weather is becoming more frequent and more severe. We can’t afford to leave the people most vulnerable to its impacts behind.”

Media contact: Bron Matherson, 0438 844 765 or Tamara Kotoyan, 0430 291 890 

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CHIA NSW welcomes Pre-Sale Finance Guarantee extension; urges NSW Government to double down in state budget

Media release

11 June 2026

The NSW Government’s decision to extend its $1 billion Pre-Sale Finance Guarantee program is a clever use of the state’s balance sheet to get more affordable homes built, says the Community Housing Industry Association NSW (CHIA NSW).

CHIA NSW CEO, Luke Achterstraat welcomed the announcement to extend the Pre-Sale Finance Guarantee program to back 100 per cent of affordable housing projects valued up to $30 million delivered by not-for-profit community housing providers (CHPs).

“CHPs are ready to scale and deliver the housing and social infrastructure that NSW needs. However, they are not immune from a challenging construction environment which makes this initiative valuable by providing increased certainty and viability for more affordable rental homes.”

“Too many people can’t find a safe and secure home in NSW. The extension on the Pre-Sale Finance Guarantee Program is the right call – it’ll enable more homes to be built for people and families who need them most, and recognises that community housing providers have the track record to deliver them.”

“Regional housing in particular is in acute crisis and needs urgent investment, as they continue to experience higher delivery costs, exacerbated by the fuel crisis.”

Mr Achterstraat added that the extension should be matched by significant new investment in social and affordable housing in the upcoming NSW State Budget.

“The extension of the Pre-Sale Finance Guarantee to include community housing providers is a great step, but the program itself is not a substitute for ongoing direct investment. The State Budget is the Government’s chance to double down on the CHP sector – and we urge them to take it,” said Mr Achterstaat.

Media contact: Tamara Kotoyan, 0430 291 890 or Bron Matherson, 0438 844 765 

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Luke Achterstraat to lead CHIA NSW as CEO

Media release

12th January 2026

The Community Housing Industry Association NSW (CHIA NSW) has announced the appointment of Luke Achterstraat as its new Chief Executive Officer.

Mr Achterstraat brings extensive leadership experience across the property, small business, and government sectors, most recently as CEO of the Council of Small Business Organisations Australia and previously as the NSW Executive Director, Property Council of Australia.

CHIA NSW Chair, Charles Northcote, said Mr Achterstraat’s appointment comes at a critical time for the not-for-profit community housing industry in NSW.

“Luke is the ideal person to lead CHIA NSW as our industry responds to the most significant housing crisis in a generation,” Mr Northcote said.

“Luke has a renowned reputation as a first-class advocate, proven leader, and a collaborator in working with industry, government and communities. His track record in leading high-performing organisations and his deep understanding of the housing policy landscape makes him the natural fit for this pivotal leadership role.”

“We’ve entered a period of significant momentum for not-for-profit community housing in NSW. Luke is stepping into a highly-skilled organisation that is strongly positioned to grow its impact.”

Mr Achterstraat said he was honoured to lead CHIA NSW into its next chapter of success.

“A key measure of any society is how it looks after its most vulnerable people, and this includes housing. I look forward to promoting the vital work of not-for-profit community housing providers in NSW to advance this goal,” Mr Achterstraat said.

Mr Achterstraat replaces Mark Degotardi, who joined Australian Community Housing as its inaugural CEO in November 2025. He will commence in the role on 13 January 2026.

Caitlin McDowell has been appointed to the new role of Deputy CEO. Prior to her appointment, Ms McDowell served in an executive role as CHIA NSW’s Head of Public Affairs, and most recently, as Acting CEO. She brings significant experience from her senior management roles with a Sydney-based, not-for-profit community housing provider.

CHIA NSW’s Chair, Charles Northcote, said that Ms McDowell is an outstanding industry leader whose appointment as Deputy CEO reflects her long-standing track record of success.

“Caitlin is a highly respected industry leader, who has successfully led major industry initiatives across advocacy, policy, media and stakeholder engagement over many years. Her deep experience working with members, governments and peak bodies ensures that CHIA NSW is strongly positioned for the future.”

Ms McDowell said she was delighted to take on her new role at CHIA NSW.

“Not-for-profit community housing is life-changing, and it’s needed now more than ever. As Deputy CEO, I look forward to working alongside Luke, our Board and dedicated team to deliver more outcomes for our members,” Ms McDowell said.

Media contact: Bron Matherson, 0438 844 765 or Tamara Kotoyan, 0430 291 890

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Built to last:
Community housing providers in NSW
ready to deliver more life-changing new homes

Media release

23 November 2025

The Albanese Government has today announced that the third and largest round of the Housing Australia Future Fund will deliver up to 21,000 new social and affordable rental homes across Australia, offering much-needed hope to tens of thousands of families.   

The Community Housing Industry Association NSW’s Acting CEO, Caitlin McDowell, said the significant new investment in social and affordable housing was life changing.

“Safe, secure, and affordable housing is an absolute game-changer. Across Australia, these 21,000 new homes will unlock vital opportunities for individuals and families to participate in education and employment and contribute to the social and cultural life of their communities.”

Ms McDowell said that the delivery of the program through not-for-profit community housing providers, including those located in NSW, ensures that public investment will be used to deliver the high-quality outcomes and social change that governments and communities expect.

“Not-for-profit community housing providers in NSW have put people first for more than 40 years. Every new home that we deliver will make a difference for current and future generations, because we are committed to providing social and affordable rental homes in perpetuity.

“Investing in social and affordable housing projects led by not-for-profit community housing providers will create new jobs, enable re-investment in local communities and economies, and deliver cost savings to the Federal and NSW Governments.”

In NSW, not-for-profit community housing providers own or manage around 54,000 social and affordable rental homes. Social housing provides a place to call home for over 94,000 people.

Ms McDowell said that not-for-profit community housing providers in NSW are ready to deliver at scale, so that more people can experience the benefits of safe, secure and affordable housing.

“Community housing providers in NSW have many more projects that are ready to go. As the largest not-for-profit community housing industry in Australia, we are already demonstrating the strength of our expertise, partnerships and community connections to deliver at scale.  

“Some not-for-profit community housing providers are set to deliver hundreds of new homes each in NSW over the next three years. Critically, our homes are designed with the needs of our residents in mind and are located in high-amenity areas. This makes it easier for people to access transport, education, jobs, health care, and essential services.”  

She welcomed the program’s new focus on building social and affordable homes in regional and rural Australia and for First Nations people and communities.

“Regional and rural NSW has experienced acute housing affordability pressures for many years, so any potential new investment will be greatly welcomed by our communities. We also welcome the dedicated $600 million program for First Nations housing, to be delivered through Aboriginal housing providers, which will provide more homes and better outcomes for Aboriginal people.

Ms McDowell welcomed the Albanese Government’s commitment to invest in the growth of the not-for-profit community housing industry to enable the provision of more homes for people in greatest need.  

“The Housing Australia Future Fund is creating a golden opportunity to grow the industry at scale, attract new investment, and deliver lasting change for NSW’s communities.  

“It builds on the NSW Government’s historic commitments to deliver thousands of new and renewed social and affordable rental homes through the $6.6 billion Building Homes for NSW program.  

“By partnering with governments at all levels, not-for-profit community housing providers in NSW have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to deliver more homes, as quickly as we can, for the people and families who need them most.”

Media contact: Bron Matherson, 0438 844 765 or Tamara Kotoyan, 0430 291 890  

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CHIA NSW leadership change

Announcement

16th September 2025

The Community Housing Industry Association NSW (CHIA NSW) congratulates our Chief Executive Officer, Mark Degotardi, on his appointment as the inaugural CEO of Australian Community Housing.

Over the last six years, Mark has transformed CHIA NSW into an impactful, advocacy-driven organisation that has secured billions in new social housing investment and planning reforms. At the same time, Mark has demonstrated a strong commitment to the success of members, as evidenced through the strategic growth of House Keys, Tenant Satisfaction Survey, Professional Development and Accredited Training, and the Cadetship Program. He leaves behind a dedicated and high-performing team, who are well placed to deliver high-quality outcomes and impact into the future.

Mark is a highly strategic and values-driven leader, with a formidable 30-year career in policy development, advocacy, and executive leadership. His appointment at Australian Community Housing occurs at a pivotal moment for the national not-for-profit community housing industry, ensuring that community housing providers are strongly positioned as an integral part of the solution to Australia’s housing crisis.

CHIA NSW thanks Mark for his outstanding leadership and immense contribution to the success of our organisation. We look forward to continuing our work with Mark in his new role at Australian Community Housing, as we collectively seek to drive coordinated, urgent action for people and families in need of safe, secure, and affordable rental housing solutions.

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Build now or it’s too late

Media release

8th June 2025

CHIA NSW CEO, Mark Degotardi

The debate about whether we’re in a housing crisis is long behind us. The real question now is – – how fast can we act to address it?

In NSW, the community housing waitlist has grown to almost 66,000 families and individuals – including more than 11,000 on the priority waitlist, meaning they are at imminent risk of homelessness. Tens of thousands of families are waiting – not just for homes, but for hope. And while both the NSW and federal governments have taken meaningful steps forward in recent years, there’s still a long way to go.

The recent federal election handed the government a clear mandate to accelerate housing reform. The choice now is whether we continue with steady, incremental steps- or shift into a higher gear and deliver the bold action our communities need.

The reality is that a slow-and-steady approach is no longer enough. In fact, it’s risky. We are entering a period of rapid and complex change, and the pressure on our housing system is only going to intensify.

A new report: Towards 2050: The Megatrends Transforming Community Housing, prepared by researchers from the University of Technology Sydney and to be released this week, explores the megatrends shaping the next 25 years – from demographic shifts and climate change to technological disruption and rising inequality. These trends will test how we live and where we live.

Far from distant hypotheticals, these changes are already under way. Our population is ageing. The digital divide is widening. Economic and climate instability are affecting where and how people live. The concentration of wealth and income inequality are forecast to worsen. 

These trends will drive demand for more affordable, flexible, resilient, and inclusive housing.

Community housing must play a central role in providing that housing. Community housing providers provide long-term, affordable and secure homes for those who need it most. They build stronger communities are uniquely positioned to respond to the changing needs of the population. 

Right now, there is an opportunity to respond to the challenges we can see ahead. We have federal and state governments that are committed to growing housing supply, particularly the supply of social and affordable housing. Positive changes have been made to planning laws, to better rental regulation and to improving the regulation of affordable housing.

The megatrends ahead, however, demand that we act more quickly and that we make structural reform.

Our planning system must help us build communities that reflect an ageing population and housing that embraces technological change. 

We must design housing that is more resilient to climate change and build housing in a way that reduces the impact on the environment. Most of all, we need to fight against worsening inequality. 

This will take political and community courage. 

It must include a discussion about taxation and expenditure priorities.

The last few years have seen better responses from the federal government in relation to the housing crisis. 

Coupled with a strong state government response, we have begun to lay a pathway to success. 

It is time to accelerate and set ourselves ambitious goals.

Community housing providers are ready to meet the challenge, but the sector needs more than goodwill. 

It needs investment, the right policies and the right vision. 

If we wait, we fall further behind. It’s time to open the throttle and build the housing future NSW needs – before the road ahead gets even harder to navigate.

Media contact: Bron Matherson, 0438 844 765 or or Alana Mew, 0419 929 722

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CHIA NSW welcomes new laws to make affordable housing fairer in NSW

Media release

3rd June 2025

The Community Housing Industry Association NSW (CHIA NSW) has welcomed legislation introduced into Parliament today, by the Minns Government, that will improve oversight of affordable housing delivered through the planning system.

“Affordable housing is critical to fixing the housing crisis in NSW. But until now, there hasn’t been a clear picture of how much affordable housing there is, who it’s owned by, or where in the state it is,” said Mark Degotardi, CEO of CHIA NSW.

“The introduction of these laws gives us a clear view of the current state of affordable housing in NSW and will ultimately mean that all affordable housing is managed to the high standards that registered community housing providers are already delivering to,” said Mr Degotardi.

The new laws will:

  • Create a public register of affordable housing to track how much affordable housing is being delivered.
  • Establish a new category of Affordable Housing Managers (AHM) who will be responsible to the NSW Government Registrar for ensuring the eligibility of tenants and that affordable rents are charged.
  • Ban developers from getting occupation certificates unless a registered manager (CHP or AHM) is appointed, and an affordable housing restriction is legally recorded on the property title.
  • Introduce fines and enforcement powers for managers failing to rent to eligible tenants or breaching conditions
  • Strengthen information sharing and oversight between the Registrar and Homes NSW

CHIA NSW said that affordable housing is one of the key solutions to addressing a growing housing crisis.

“Fixing this growing crisis is not possible without increasing supply of high quality social and affordable housing, and these new laws are a welcome step towards this,” Mr Degotardi said.

“As managers of more than 54,000 homes across NSW, not-for-profit community housing providers stand ready to work with government and private developers to deliver the affordable housing that we desperately need. Our industry is backed by a robust regulatory framework and over 40 years of experience supporting people in need.”

Media contact: Bron Matherson, 0438 844 765 or Tamara Kotoyan, 0430 291 890

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The keys to homes crisis

Media release

9th March 2025

CHIA NSW CEO, Mark Degotardi

I don’t really care if we decide to take action on housing affordability because of our heart or because of economic case self-interest. As long as there is action.

The Productivity Commission recently published its report on government services relating to housing and homelessness.  It is a shame the report was released in the middle of the night, because its stark content needs to see the light of day.

The report tells a now familiar tale.  Homelessness services are overrun, social housing waitlist numbers are surging, and we’re just not building enough social and affordable housing. It’s less than 2% of total dwelling completions across Australia.

Although there are more than 63,000 households on the NSW social housing waitlist alone, the Productivity Commission reports that NSW has the lowest per capita expenditure on social housing of any State or Territory.  No matter which way you cut the data, we are losing this battle. We’re in trouble.  The housing crisis is at critical levels and if we’re to make a dent, we need to respond in kind.

The Federal and NSW Governments have made welcome forays into this space. The establishment of the Housing Australia Future Fund (HAFF) at the national level and the announcement of significant funding in last year’s State budget are examples of their responses. The foundations have been laid but with a federal election approaching and housing affordability a key priority for voters, an honest assessment of what needs to be done is required.

Three significant steps must be taken by governments if we are to maximise the opportunity for change.

Firstly, we need programmatic, not piecemeal responses. We need longer term commitments to growing social and affordable housing in NSW and across the country.  Housing is critical infrastructure that requires long-term commitment and planning. It requires engagement and partnership with the community housing sector and other elements of the broader housing system, like planning and local government.

Debate at the Federal level should be about how to increase the scale and effectiveness of the HAFF, not about whether the HAFF will survive.  This stop and go approach to housing policy and funding is making the problem worse.

Secondly, we must meet the scale of the crisis with funding at the same scale.  Last year’s NSW Budget announcement and the HAFF are significant – a good start.  We must build on these commitments, both in terms of our ambition and the scale of investment.

NSW’s budget investment will see 8,400 new social homes over the next seven years. We need to set our sights higher and commit to 25,000 new social homes by 2035.

Lastly, we need to move with more urgency. Homes NSW’s commitment to deliver “more homes, more quickly” is strongly supported by the community housing sector and is a mantra that should be applied at the Federal Government level as well.

We can’t meet a housing crisis with business as usual responses.  Future rounds of the HAFF need to be more streamlined, with faster procurement and stronger partnerships with community housing providers to maximise investment.

There are good economic and social reasons to push harder for success: better physical and mental health and better access to services and transport for housing residents. All these outcomes reduce demand for government services and increase productivity.

Investment in social and affordable housing also creates jobs and improves economic output over time. It makes economic sense; it is the right thing to do and it has broad community support.

Media contact: Bron Matherson, 0438 844 765 or Alana Mew, 0419 929 722