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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

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Community housing sector welcomes Budget announcements

Media release

18th June 2024

The peak body for community housing in NSW welcomed today’s Budget announcement of investment in the supply of desperately needed new social and affordable housing that will deliver an additional 1,550 homes per year to the state’s most vulnerable people.

“Today’s budget announcements mean we can start to confront the housing crisis in NSW.  The scale of the problem means that solving the crisis will take time,” said Mark Degotardi, CEO of the Community Housing Industry Association NSW (CHIA NSW).

“This investment offers immediate hope to our most vulnerable citizens and longer-term hope that we can make meaningful changes to a broken housing system.

“With 9,000 households on the priority waiting list for social housing, our combined challenge is significant.  This means government and the community housing sector need to work together to deliver as much social and affordable housing as we can.

CHIA NSW said it is critical that the funds are invested in ways that maximise the number of dwellings that are delivered.

“The community housing sector stand ready to work with the NSW Government to get the biggest bang for buck from available resources.

“The community housing sector can maximise the government’s funding by layering in debt finance and other forms of capital to increase the overall investment in new housing.”

“We can get more houses on the ground more quickly by government partnering with the community housing sector,” said Mr Degotardi.

CHIA NSW also encouraged government to consider other ways of increasing the outcomes from the Budget investment.

“Let’s also look at using government land and under-utilised housing assets to see how we can deliver more housing within the budget funding.

“These initiatives don’t hit the Budget – they just put under-utilised government assets to work,” said Mr Degotardi. “By leveraging government assets, community housing providers can build more social and affordable housing and help ease the crisis for NSW’s most vulnerable families.”

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

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Housing affordability crisis set to worsen – unless more investment is made in social and affordable housing

Media release

3rd May 2024

The Community Housing Industry Association NSW (CHIA NSW) said today’s inaugural State of the Housing System report paints a bleak outlook for vulnerable people on the social housing waitlist and people experiencing homelessness.

The State of the Housing System 2024 report notes that the forecast levels for the delivery of social and affordable housing are significantly lower than demand, at a time when waitlists for public housing increased by 9.1 per cent in the four years to 2023.

“We are now presented with substantial evidence that the housing crisis is going to get worse before it gets better. For the most vulnerable people in our community, who are already struggling with the skyrocketing cost of housing, the crisis will have long-term consequences for their wellbeing, financial security, and social and economic inclusion,” said Mark Degotardi, CEO of CHIA NSW.

“The upcoming Federal and NSW State Budgets must respond to the crisis by committing significant, long-term investment in social and affordable housing. As a starting point, we urge the Federal Government to double the funding for the Housing Australia Future Fund to $20 billion and invest in the homes that our communities so desperately need.

“The NSW Government must also bring its own funding and resources to the table. An investment of just over $2 billion per year for the next five years will deliver up to 25,000 social and affordable rental homes in the state experiencing the nation’s most acute housing crisis.”

The report identifies ten focus areas to improve housing system outcomes. Sufficient investment in social and affordable housing is at the top of this list, in recognition of its vital role as “essential infrastructure for sustainable, productive and cohesive communities.”

“Addressing the housing crisis requires a crisis response. Although there is an important role for sensible and incremental housing reforms, governments cannot, and should not, ignore their fundamental responsibility to invest in the social and affordable housing that is needed right now,” said Mr Degotardi.     

“The good news for governments is that they don’t need to solve the housing crisis alone, but they do need to set the direction for change. Establishing a national target for social and affordable housing is recognised as a way to foster a pipeline of new supply.

“The not-for-profit community housing industry is ready to work with all levels of government to deliver these housing solutions. Community housing providers have projects that are ready to roll but need the funding to get them started.

“We have nearly 58,000 households on the social housing wait list in NSW alone – so what are we waiting for?”, Mr Degotardi said.

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

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CHIA NSW demands immediate Government action on rental affordability crisis

Media release

23rd April 2024

The Community Housing Industry Association NSW (CHIA NSW) is calling on the NSW Treasurer to urgently invest in social and affordable housing, as the latest Anglicare Rental Affordability Snapshot reveals rental affordability is at the worst rate it has ever been in.

The snapshot, which analysed 45,115 rental listings across the country, found that there is not a single affordable rental property for those on youth allowance and only three properties nationwide for those on JobSeeker.

“The findings of this year’s snapshot are unacceptable,”, said Mr Degotardi.  The fact that young people on Youth Allowance can’t find a single affordable property is an indictment of just how bad this housing crisis has become.”

With nearly 58,000 families and individuals on the state’s social housing waitlist, Mr Degotardi said the time for half-measures has passed.

“Affordability in the rental housing market has hit rock bottom.  The NSW Government must respond by investing significant sums in social and affordable housing.  There is no greater priority, there can be no other choice.”

“NSW families and the NSW economy will suffer for decades to come if we do not begin to address the rental affordability problem.  We can begin to address the crisis – the community housing sector is ready to work with all levels of government to implement solutions, but we need action now.”

“An investment of just $2 billion a year over 5 years would allow for the construction of the homes that families in NSW desperately need,” said Mr Degotardi.

“This modest investment pales in comparison to the $72.3 billion allocated for transport projects in last year’s budget.”

“The time for action is now, what are we waiting for?” said Degotardi.

Media contact: Tamara Kotoyan, 0430 291 890

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Minns Government 12-month anniversary: chance to right NSW track record as one of poorest performers on social housing in the country

Media release

25th March 2024

On the first anniversary of the election of the Minns Government, CHIA NSW has released new data analysis showing NSW remains one of the lowest investors in social housing in the country.

“The Treasurer has the opportunity to right this wrong in the upcoming State Budget, by investing in the social housing our state needs,” said Mark Degotardi, CEO of CHIA NSW.

The new analysis shows NSW remains near the bottom of the ladder, following recent social housing funding announcements by state governments in Queensland, Western Australia and the Northern Territory.

“We have the longest social housing waitlist in the country with almost 58,000 families and individuals waiting – and yet we are investing the least, ahead of only South Australia and the ACT,” said Mr Degotardi.

“Families in NSW put their trust in the Minns Government one year ago. It’s now time for the Government to repay that trust. The Premier has clearly acknowledged there is a serious housing crisis- now is the time for action and strong investment in the social and affordable housing that is desperately needed.” 

Recent modelling by SGS Economics, commissioned by CHIA NSW, revealed that the NSW Government could build tens of thousands of social and affordable homes by investing $2 billion per year over the next five to address the escalating crisis.

The injection of funding would deliver 25,000 social and affordable homes across Greater Sydney and regional NSW over five years while the NSW Government could save up to $1 billion over five years by partnering with community housing providers to deliver half of these homes.

“The opportunity is right in front of the government. NSW has the largest, most capable community housing industry in Australia. Partnering with not-for-profit community housing providers to build more homes that families desperately need is exactly what the community expects from the Labor Government.

“If the NSW Government is serious about getting the 58,000 families and individuals off the social housing waitlist and into homes, it can make a significant start by making the investment and working with community housing providers to build more homes for less,” Mr Degotardi said.

TABLE 1: SOCIAL AND AFFORDABLE HOUSING NEW SUPPLY FUNDING, PER CAPITA

Jurisdiction Population Proportion of population with unmet housing need Recent funding commitments Commitments per capita 
Northern Territory 252,473 10.8% $5,290,000,000 $20,953 
Tasmania 572,780 6.2% $1,500,000,000 $2,619 
Western Australia 2,878,563 5.4% $2,600,000,000 $903 
Queensland 5,459,413 7.8% $4,850,000,000 $888 
Victoria 6,812,477 5.9% $5,300,000,000 $778 
ACT 466,813 3.1% $345,000,000 $739 
South Australia 1,851,704 5.5% $474,700,000 $256 
NSW 8,339,347 7.3% $1,667,800,000 $200 

FIGURE 1: PER CAPITA SOCIAL AND AFFORDABLE HOUSING FUNDING IN NSW RELATIVE TO OTHER JURISDICTIONS

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Source: CHIA NSW – original data analysis – March 2024.

Based on the Productivity Commission’s (2024) Report on Government Services, Part G: Housing and Homelessness, Table 18A.1, Part G, Section 18; City Futures Research Centre (2022) Quantifying Australia’s unmet housing need: a national snapshot, and State and Territory funding and new supply announcements on social and affordable housing (2022-24).

Media contact: Bron Matherson, 0438 844 765 

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New data shows social housing waitlist in NSW has increased by 300 people in a single month

Media release

23rd March 2024

New data released today by the NSW Government shows an additional 300 families and individuals have joined the social housing waitlist in the past month alone. 

The social housing waitlist in NSW is the longest in the country with 57,904 families and individuals waiting for help.

The number of people with urgent housing needs has also increased, with an additional 100 families and individuals joining the priority waiting list during February.

“Every single day, 10 families are joining the social housing waitlist.  At that rate, the State Government needs to build more than 3600 social homes a year just to keep up with the increase in people needing help.  We need an urgent commitment from the NSW Government to significant long-term funding for social and affordable housing in NSW,” said Mark Degotardi, CEO of CHIA NSW.

“These are everyday people who are struggling to keep a roof over their head as rents continue to rise and vacancy rates plummet. They include older people on the brink of homelessness and women and children attempting to escape domestic violence. They cannot afford to wait,” said Mr Degotardi.

Mr Degotardi called on NSW Treasurer Daniel Mookhey to confront the escalating crisis by committing new and additional funding to social and affordable housing in this year’s state budget.

“The Treasurer can confront the housing crisis head on in this year’s budget. By investing $2 billion per year for the next five years, we can build 25,000 social and affordable homes and begin to make a dent in the housing crisis,” said Mr Degotardi.

“That’s a modest investment compared to the $72.3 billion committed by the State Government to transport infrastructure projects over the next four years.  The most important infrastructure you can invest in is housing.

“The NSW Government has a golden opportunity to respond to the housing crisis.  The community housing sector in NSW is the largest and most capable in the country and is ready to partner with the Government to build more social housing.  And the newly formed Homes NSW is ideally placed to be that partner.  The framework is there – we just need the funding.

“The NSW Government has said that housing is a priority – it’s time that the funding for social housing backs up that claim.

Media contact: Tamara Kotoyan, 0430 291 890