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8 per cent increase in social housing waitlist in Western Sydney triggers business leaders and housing sector to unite

Media release

21 February 2023

The community housing sector and business leaders in Western Sydney are calling for state politicians to take urgent action on the housing crisis, after figures revealed an 8 per cent increase in the number of people languishing on the social housing waitlist in Western Sydney alone.

There are now 18,377 individuals and families on the social housing waitlist in Western Sydney, many are in the queue in areas with wait times of over 10 years.

The figures also show there are now 57,750 individuals and families on the social housing list in NSW, an increase of 15 percent in a single year.

That data backs up recent figures from the UNSW City Futures Research Centre, which found one in ten households across ten suburbs in Sydney’s west are struggling with rental stress, living in over-crowded conditions, or experiencing homelessness. The figures show the state’s housing emergency is at its worst in Sydney’s west.

With the housing crisis at its worst in Sydney’s West, Business Western Sydney, Community Housing Industry Association NSW (CHIA NSW) and Evolve Housing have united to host a pre-election event in Parramatta, to urge all parties to commit to confront the escalating housing crisis.

The event on Wednesday 22nd of February at the Parramatta Square Business & Events Centre will be hosted by CEO of CHIA NSW Mark Degotardi, and speakers include:

• David Borger, Executive Director of Business Western Sydney,

• Trina Jones, CEO of Homelessness NSW

• Lyall Gorman CEO of Evolve Housing,

• Nicola Lemon, CEO of Hume Housing,

• Ryan van den Nouwelant, Researcher from UNSW City Futures.   

Quotes attributable to Lyall Gorman, CEO of Evolve Housing, local community housing provider:

“Western Sydney is at the epicentre of Sydney’s housing crisis emergency. Too many families are being left behind, struggling to keep a roof over their heads as cost-of-living pressures skyrocket.

“We need our political leaders to stand up and show they really care for struggling people in Western Sydney by making tangible and long-term investment in social and affordable housing.”

Quotes attributable to Mark Degotardi, CEO of Community Housing Industry Association NSW:

“Politicians from all sides are on notice; fixing the state’s housing crisis is a top priority for voters. Especially for residents in Western Sydney.

“People are struggling just to keep a roof over their heads. Rents are soaring and vacancy rates are plummeting.  

“This is a housing crisis, and it deserves an emergency response. Governments cannot relegate this crisis to the ‘too hard’ basket’.

“Investment in social and affordable housing to be delivered by community housing providers is the key. It will get people off the waiting list, and into long-term, secure homes,” said Mr Degotardi.

Click on this link to register to attend the event.

Media contact: Tanya Evans, 0424 156 146