24 November – Today’s Rental Affordability Index shows that more social and affordable homes are desperately needed in NSW, with lower-income renting households worse off than they were before the pandemic.

The Index, released today, found that renters in regional areas in NSW are in desperate need, with thousands of people relocating from metropolitan areas during the pandemic. A single person on JobSeeker living in regional NSW would pay 63% of their income on rent.

The situation for renters in Greater Sydney is also dire, with a single person on JobSeeker spending 110% of their income on rent.

CHIA NSW CEO, Mark Degotardi, said the NSW Government and Federal Government must work together to invest in social and affordable homes to ensure low-income families have a place to call home.  

“The private rental market just cannot provide enough affordable homes for renters. That’s why targeted investment in social and affordable homes is critical,” Mr Degotardi said.

“There are already over 50,000 families on the waiting list for social housing in NSW alone. In regional NSW, that figure is 16,700. These are all families who need long-term, secure homes.

“Today’s Index is yet another flashing neon sign to our State and Federal Governments that renters are struggling. Immediate responses are required to respond to this growing crisis.

CHIA NSW is calling on the State Government to commit to long-term investment, in partnership with the Federal Government, local government and the community housing sector to provide relief to families in severe housing stress.

“Social and affordable housing, built by not-for-profit community housing providers, will do what private development can’t. It will give low-income families renting across our state a long-term secure home.

“Not-for-profit community housing providers have shovel-ready projects that would provide desperately needed homes for NSW families struggling to get by. Investment in providing affordable rental housing through community housing providers will get more homes on the ground more quickly and provide some hope for families facing a bleak Christmas.

“We need more investment from the State Government to get these projects underway – and to get families in NSW out of housing stress and into long-term, secure homes.”

Media contact: Kayla Foster, 0447 040 029