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