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$183m social housing boost a positive step to reduce waitlists

16 October 2021– The Community Housing Industry Association (CHIA) NSW has welcomed a $183 million social housing funding boost from the NSW Government, saying steady funding for new homes is the only way to reduce the state’s staggering social housing queue of 50,000 families.

“Today’s announcement is welcome news for thousands of families across the state waiting up to 10 years for a safe home,” says Mark Degotardi, CEO of CHIA NSW.

“In previous years a string of state governments failed to invest in building new social housing, and that’s left our state in a dire situation today.

“Our state will need 5,000 new homes every year for the next decade if we are to keep pace with soaring demand.

“It’s great to see this government stepping up to tackle the escalating housing crisis.”

Today’s $183 million funding injection will go towards accelerating the supply of planned new social housing across NSW, providing new funding for community housing providers through the provision of an additional $50m through the Community Housing Innovation Fund and providing an additional $20m for the construction and upgrade of social and affordable homes in partnership with Aboriginal community housing providers.

“Right now there are 50,000 families waiting for social housing, who through no fault of their own simply cannot find a home they can afford. On average, they’ll spend five to ten years on the waitlist,” says Mr Degotardi.

“Many of these families are victims of domestic violence, older people below retirement age locked out of the job market, or essential workers whose wages are too low to afford private rental prices.

“This isn’t just a Sydney problem. In the regions, rents have skyrocketed, locking many low-income households out of the private market.

“Today’s announcement from the Government highlights the valuable role of community housing providers in partnering with Government to deliver more social and affordable housing. The $70m extension of the Community Housing Innovation Fund and the Aboriginal Community Housing Innovation Fund will allow our sector to deliver more than 300 new homes – projects that are ready to go right now. It is a clear recognition that investment through community housing providers delivers better outcomes for communities and better value for money for Government.

“It’s heartening to see the NSW Government taking this problem seriously, and the non-profit community housing sector stands ready to help.

“Of course more needs to be done, but today is a great start and a welcome new commitment from the NSW Government.

“I look forward to with this government on creating a sustainable housing future for our state. It’s clear we can no longer turn a blind eye. We have too many families depending on it.”

Media contact: Hannah Craft, 0423 377 965

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No quick fixes will reduce 50K social housing queue, community housing peak warns

13 October 2021– A NSW Government inquiry into ‘existing and alternative accommodation’ options to tackle the chronic shortage of social housing has been warned by the community housing peak body that there are no shortcuts around boosting housing supply to get 50,000 families off the waitlist.

In its submission to the Committee for Community Services Inquiry, the Community Housing Industry Association (CHIA) NSW says an immediate funding injection to get shovel-ready projects off the ground and a Social Housing Capital Fund for long-term construction are essential to getting families off the waitlist as quickly as possible.

CHIA NSW is also calling for permanent funding for the Together Home Program to reduce street homelessness, and planning reforms to fast-track non-profit community housing developments, reduce the costs of delivery, and increase support for local councils establishing new social and affordable housing projects.

“It’s good to see an inquiry stepping up to address our chronic social housing shortage, but seeking alternatives to building homes is setting us up for failure,” says Mark Degotardi, CEO of CHIA NSW.

“We have 50,000 families across the state who are waiting 10 years or more, just for a place to live. There’s no escaping the fact we actually need to build homes for them to live in.

“Crisis accommodation and meanwhile use housing are all important initiatives, but they are by definition temporary.

“Those 50,000 families on the waitlist need somewhere to live. Not a place to shelter tonight, or next week, but an actual home.

“What’s needed is long-term affordable rental housing, the kind that non-profit community housing providers build at a reduced cost to the taxpayer.  Consistent investment by Government in social and affordable housing creates employment, economic growth and a place to live for some of the State’s most vulnerable families.

“Community housing providers have shovel-ready projects right across the state that just need a funding injection from the government to get them off the ground.

“The government could announce that funding tomorrow, and soon we’d have hundreds of new social and affordable homes for those families across Sydney and regional NSW.

“Families are getting desperate across metropolitan and regional communities and the situation is getting worse.  We can’t wait any longer for action.  The NSW Government must step up and invest in social and affordable housing to solve this crisis.”

Public hearings for the Inquiry have not been scheduled but are expected to take place in late October or early November 2021.

Media contact: Kayla Foster, 0447 040 029

CHIA NSW’s submission to the Community Services Inquiry can be downloaded here.

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Social housing must be included in the Federal Government’s Women’s Safety Summit program

A severe lack of safe, long-term housing is forcing women to return to violent partners or into homelessness, yet the Women’s Safety Summit program has completely ignored the issue of housing.

The Community Housing Industry Association NSW (CHIA NSW) is calling on the Federal Government to immediately revise its program for the summit, which was released today, to include the critical issue of social and affordable housing for ensuring the safety of women and families.

“There are 50,000 people on the waiting list for social housing in NSW alone, with waits of up to 10 years or more. The absence of long-term safe and affordable housing is a significant barrier to women’s safety and must be considered in the broader context of the Summit,” NSW CHIA CEO Mark Degotardi said today.

“If you’re escaping family violence, you don’t have years to wait. You need a safe, long term home now.

“There is growing awareness of limits of access to emergency and refuge care. But even when women receive emergency support, many of them will need long-term accommodation which just isn’t there.

An estimated 7,690 women a year return to violent partners, and 9,120 women a year become homeless due to a lack of long-term housing, according to an Equity Economics report earlier this week.[i]

“Access to safe and stable housing is one of the most significant factors in women’s financial freedom, health and wellbeing. It is inexcusable that the summit will be silent on the most important factor in Australian women’s safety,” Mr Degotardi said.

“With the delay in the Summit, there is time to amend the program.  We urge the Federal Government to go back and make sure housing is included in these important discussions. You just cannot talk about women’s safety without talking about secure, long term homes” he said.

Media contact: Kayla Foster, 0447 040 029

[i] https://www.miragenews.com/report-social-housing-keeps-women-safe-from-593773/

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Budget fails 50,000 families in social housing queue

22 June 2021– The NSW Government has missed a critical opportunity to invest in new social and affordable housing, with no additional support for the more than 50,000 households across NSW already on the waitlist for social housing, the Community Housing Industry Association (CHIA) NSW said today.

“Safe, secure and affordable housing is a basic human right. Having 50,000 households on the social waiting list in NSW and no plan to address the problem is simply unacceptable,” said Mark Degotardi, CEO of CHIA NSW.

“This comes at a time when the NSW Government received $9.37 billion from stamp duty revenue, when in November’s budget it forecast $7.9 billion. This windfall could have been directed to building more social and affordable housing, so that the benefit of a booming housing market could be shared with low-income families struggling to put a roof over their head and food on the table,” said Mr Degotardi.

CHIA NSW welcomed the additional $57 million funding for the Together Home program to support an additional 250 rough sleepers and build 100 new homes, but warned that the investment fails to address the state’s growing housing affordability and homelessness crisis.

“Providing responses to homelessness is important, but a critical determinant of homelessness is the availability of affordable housing for people on low incomes,” said Mr Degotardi.

“According to new Equity Economics modelling released by CHIA NSW this week, NSW has a shortage of at least 70,000 social housing dwellings. There is simply no strategy for addressing this critical shortfall.

“Social housing is important infrastructure that can generate jobs and economic activity. By building 5,000 new social housing dwellings each year, NSW could create 16,200 jobs, generate $5.2 billion in extra economic activity, and prevent 750 people from becoming homeless every year.”

The community housing sector has already delivered more than 4,400 new homes since 2012, creating thousands of new jobs and generating over $1.6 billion of economic activity.

“Community housing providers across NSW have shovel ready projects that can deliver thousands of new affordable rental homes across the state, provided they can secure capital funding or land from government,” said Mr Degotardi.

“States around Australia have begun to respond to the housing crisis. NSW has the biggest waiting list of all, and we have nothing to offer those families who are still waiting for a secure and affordable place to live.”

“The government must decide how long it will keep them waiting.”

Media contact: Kayla Foster, 0447 040 029

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New Modelling Shows Ongoing Benefits from Investment in Social Housing

20 June 2021 – NSW would create 16,200 jobs and generate $5.2 billion in extra economic activity by meeting the average OECD benchmark on social housing supply, according to new economic modelling released ahead of this week’s budget.

The report from Equity Economics, commissioned by the Community Housing Industry Association NSW, forecasts the benefits of building 5,000 extra social housing dwellings each year.

The modelling shows the investment would also see 750 fewer people entering homelessness each year, creating cost savings of $13 million in avoided health and social services costs.

According to the report, Maximising the returns, cost savings to the NSW Government would be $316 million if delivery of the additional social housing dwellings is shared between the community housing sector and the NSW Government.

Critically, the modelling highlights the value of investing in community housing projects that will deliver a 50 per cent higher return on investment compared to the cost of building new public housing.

Quotes attributable to NSW CHIA CEO Mark Degotardi:

“Right now we face a housing crisis for vulnerable people in this state with over 50,000 households currently on the social housing waiting list, some of whom will be waiting 10 years or more to be housed.

“This waiting list won’t be cleared overnight, but it is critical the NSW Government sets its sight on addressing the backlog in this week’s budget.

“A commitment to 5,000 extra social housing dwellings each year would transform lives and, as this report shows, deliver tangible economic benefits to the taxpayer. Community housing providers can partner with the NSW Government to deliver these benefits.”

“In less than a decade, community housing providers have built thousands of new homes across NSW, created thousands of new construction jobs, and contributed $1.2 billion to the state’s economy. We can do much more with more government support.

“A significant, long-term funding commitment in this week’s budget would help to address NSW’s housing affordability crisis and deliver thousands of new jobs across the state.”

Media contact: Kayla Foster, 0447 040 029

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‘We Can’t Wait’: Budget must end housing limbo for 20,000 regional families

The Community Housing Industry Association NSW (CHIA NSW) is calling for urgent action to address NSW’s social housing waiting list, which has over 50,000 households waiting for up to 10 years or more for safe, secure and affordable housing.

CHIA NSW has warned that households on the social housing waitlist are paying unaffordable private market rents, couch-surfing with family and friends, seeking help from homelessness services – or at worst, sleeping rough. This is particularly the case in regional NSW, where vacancy rates of less than 1 per cent have driven up private rental prices, leaving families scrambling to find a place to live.

A CHIA NSW analysis of the NSW Department of Communities & Justice’s social housing waitlist and private rental vacancies between 2019 and 2020 shows:

  • – Mid North Coast: 2,912 households on waitlist, 73% drop in private rental vacancies
  • – Newcastle: 1,648 households on waitlist, 45% drop in private rental vacancies
  • – Central Coast: 3,004 households on waitlist, 77% drop in private rental vacancies
  • – Illawarra: 2,438 households on waitlist, 62% drop in private rental vacancies
  • – Northern Rivers: 2,652 households on waitlist, 70% drop in private rental vacancies
  • – Hunter Valley: 1,569 households on waitlist, 52% drop in private rental vacancies

Quotes attribute to Mark Degotardi, CEO of CHIA NSW:

“We Can’t Wait is advocating for the families, retirees and key workers waiting 5, 10 or more years for social housing and being crushed by the state’s unstoppable housing market. This must include significant government funding for safe, secure, and affordable housing.

 “This isn’t an inner-city problem. There are thousands of families in regional NSW on the social housing waitlist right now, desperately needing a safe, affordable home.

“The NSW Government’s 2021-22 Intergenerational Report has predicted that an additional 68,000 households will need social housing, meaning waiting lists will more than double by 2061.

“We need to clear the list now and start planning for the surging demand over decades to come.

“We have non-profit community housing providers with shovel-ready projects that could be developed in partnership with the NSW Government starting today.

“In less than a decade, community housing providers have built thousands of new homes across NSW, created thousands of new construction jobs, and contributed $1.2 billion to the state’s economy. We can do much more with more government support.

“Not for profit community housing providers stand ready to support the government in building social and affordable housing across the state. That must start with committed long-term funding in this month’s NSW Budget to address the state’s housing affordability crisis and end rising homelessness.”

Appendix: NSW region breakdown of social housing waitlist and shift in private vacancy rate.

Appendix: Social housing waitlist and shift in private vacancy rates by region

Region 2020 Social Housing Waiting List (Households) 2019 Vacant Private Dwellings 2020 Vacant Private Dwellings % Shift Private Vacancies 2019-2020
Hunter Valley 1569 469 223 -52%
Newcastle 1648 661 362 -45%
Riverina 942 415 216 -48%
Central West 1055 618 267 -57%
Central Coast 3004 1022 237 -77%
Mid North Coast 2912 697 186 -73%
Northern Rivers 2652 451 134 -70%
Illawarra 2438 799 302 -62%
Tamworth 498 244 113 -54%

* Social Housing waitlist data sourced from Social Housing waiting list data to June 2019 and June 2020, NSW Department of Communities & Justice website – housing waiting times/numbers of people waiting: https://www.facs.nsw.gov.au/housing/help/applying-assistance/expected-waiting-times

Vacant properties data sourced from SQM Research, as at Dec 2019 and Dec 2020: https://sqmresearch.com.au/graph_vacancy.php?postcode=2000&t=1

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‘We Can’t Wait’: new campaign to end housing limbo for 50,000 families

The Community Housing Industry Association NSW (CHIA NSW) is calling for urgent action to address NSW’s social housing waiting list, which has over 50,000 households waiting for up to 10 years or more for safe, secure and affordable housing.

CHIA NSW has warned that households on the social housing waitlist are paying unaffordable private market rents, couch-surfing with family and friends, seeking help from homelessness services – or at worst, sleeping rough.

An analysis of the NSW Department of Communities & Justice’s social housing waitlist by CHIA NSW shows:

  • – 29,374 households on the social housing waitlist in Greater Sydney
  • – 1,684 in Newcastle
  • – 2,438 in Wollongong
  • – 2,652 in the Northern Rivers
  • – 2,912 in the Mid North Coast

Quotes attributable to Mark Degotardi, CEO of CHIA NSW:

“We Can’t Wait is advocating for families, retirees and key workers waiting 5, 10 or more years for social housing and being crushed by Sydney’s unstoppable housing market.”

“We are already facing a waiting list crisis with over 50,000 households already on waiting lists.”

“The NSW Government’s 2021-22 Intergenerational Report has predicted that an additional 68,000 households will need social housing, meaning waiting lists will more than double by 2061.”

“We need to clear the list now and start planning for the surging demand over decades to come.”

“The NSW Government has already made important contributions to addressing the housing crisis, including supporting hundreds of homeless people during COVID-19 and releasing an inaugural 20-year NSW Housing Strategy, but we need dedicated funding to address long-term housing need.”

“We have non-profit community housing providers with shovel-ready projects that could be developed in partnership with the NSW Government starting today.”

“In less than a decade, community housing providers have built thousands of new homes across NSW, created thousands of new construction jobs, and contributed $1.2 billion to the state’s economy. We can do much more with more government support.” 

“Not for profit community housing providers stand ready to support the government in building social and affordable housing across the state. That must start with committed long-term funding in this month’s NSW Budget to address the state’s housing affordability crisis and end rising homelessness.”

Appendix: Social housing waitlist in metropolitan Sydney

Area 2020 Waiting List (Households)
Inner city 1127
Eastern Suburbs 1254
Leichhardt/Marrickville 1385
St George 1756
Inner West 1460
Canterbury 792
Riverwood 276
Northern Suburbs 1770
Northern Beaches 744
Sutherland 745

* Social Housing waitlist data sourced from Social Housing waiting list data to June 2019 and June 2020, NSW Department of Communities & Justice website – housing waiting times/numbers of people waiting: https://www.facs.nsw.gov.au/housing/help/applying-assistance/expected-waiting-times

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NSW Government funding will upgrade homes and spur jobs

The NSW Government’s provision of $40 million in funding for capital works for social housing will help create jobs and upgrade homes, according to the Community Housing Industry Association NSW (CHIA NSW).

CHIA NSW CEO, Mark Degotardi, welcomed the NSW Government funding which will see $40 million provided to 31 successful tender bids from community housing providers (CHPs) for housing works.

“Funding that supports improving homes is needed now more than ever. This funding will upgrade homes while creating jobs, particularly in regional areas,” said Mr Degotardi.

The NSW Government estimates the program will create 350 jobs in NSW, with more than half of them in regional areas. Projects supported will include:

  • 330 bathroom replacements;
  • 380 kitchen replacements;
  • 290 roof replacements;
  • 950 external painting jobs, and
  • 230 window replacements.

“These projects will have a direct, positive impact in the lives of NSW families by updating  thousands of properties across NSW. We congratulate the Government and Minister Pavey for this much-needed investment”, said Mr Degotardi.

CHIA NSW welcomed the focus on funding allocation for housing maintenance in regional areas.

“The positive social impact of this funding is even stronger in regional areas, where housing is in critically short supply for low-income families.”

CHIA NSW stated that with more government funding for housing supply, the community housing sector could create even more homes, jobs and investment for regional NSW.

“More than 50,000 people are on the waiting list for social housing – community housing providers are ready to work with Government to help thousands of families in housing stress,” said Mr Degotardi.

“We have already delivered $1.2 billion of new investment and 8,000 jobs in the last decade alone. With further government investment, the community housing sector could begin to reduce the critical shortages of social and affordable housing across in NSW.”

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Community Housing peak announces Michele Adair as Chair of new female-majority Board

The Community Housing Industry Association (CHIA) NSW has announced Michele Adair as its new Chair as part of changes that see CHIA NSW’s Board with a female-majority for the first time.

Ms Adair brings a wealth of leadership experience from the superannuation, disability and education sectors, which has given her a unique understanding of housing challenges facing older Australians, people living with chronic illness and those experiencing financial hardship.

She has been CEO of Housing Trust since 2017, which now manages 1,100 affordable rental properties in the Wollongong region for 2,100 families. The company will also build hundreds more homes in the next few years.

“CHIA has helped steer the growth of the community housing sector which now manages 50,000 homes in NSW alone. It’s an honour to play a role in carrying on this important work for our members and the communities we serve” says Ms Adair.

“This is a crucial moment in Australia’s housing crisis. Financial hardship has left many in rental stress and will push more people into homelessness without urgent intervention. Community housing is undoubtedly the most efficient model for increasing the social and affordable housing supply. Our member organisations are ready to deliver for families in need.”

Mark Degotardi, CEO of CHIA NSW, says Ms Adair is the ideal leader to help grow the community housing sector amid the accelerating economic and housing crisis.

“I’m delighted that Michele Adair has taken on this leadership role with CHIA NSW,” he says. “Housing affordability is one of the most complex and urgent challenges facing our state, and Michele brings an invaluable working knowledge of the landscape that will help us advocate for community housing providers and tenants alike.

“I also wish to extend my thanks to John McKenna, who is retiring from his position as Chair after serving on the CHIA board for a decade. His expertise and leadership have been instrumental for the company and the wider community housing sector.”

Media contact: Hannah Craft, 0423 377 965

More budget support needed to give housing hope to struggling families

The NSW Government needs to provide sustained and significant new investment in social housing to avoid leaving thousands of families facing severe housing stress, high unemployment and homelessness, the Community Housing Industry Association (CHIA) NSW has warned.


Today’s Budget provides headline expenditure figures but fails to provide any clarity on how many new social and affordable homes will be built as a result of the announcements.


Whilst the Budget papers indicate that the Government expects to build around 780 new social housing properties over the next four years, there is no information in the Budget papers about the net growth of social housing properties.

“Safe and affordable housing is a basic, essential human right. Today’s Budget leaves thousands of people wondering whether they will have the security of safe and affordable housing,” says Mark Degotardi, CEO of CHIA NSW.


“Homelessness and financial household stress are on the rise. There are 50,000 households on the waiting list for social housing. The question that needs to be answered is – how many of these people will be left in the cold by today’s announcement?


CHIA NSW welcomes the Government’s commitment to new funding but notes that the $900 million commitment is partly for projects already underway and is a commitment over the next four years.


“The Government’s commitment for this year is less than $300 million. Much more is needed. With the ongoing impact of the recession, recent estimates suggested that the number of households in housing stress will rise by over 20%. The Government needs to commit to building thousands of homes a year for the next decade if we want to avoid the looming wave of disadvantage.”


“Thousands of NSW families will have nowhere to go. Too many people will be left to choose between paying the rent and paying for food on their table, their kids’ education, or adequate healthcare.”


CHIA NSW says the community housing sector is disappointed that no new funding was announced to stimulate supply in the sector.


“The lack of investment in the community housing sector is disappointing. Since 2012, we have built more than 3,200 homes – we have the capability to develop, build and manage social and affordable housing.


“The sector has access to debt finance to leverage the NSW Government’s investment and has a track record of delivering more homes for their buck. Without Government funding, not enough homes will be built to meet the overwhelming need.

CHIA NSW welcomes the Government’s announcement of $200 million for repairs and maintenance on existing social housing properties, and $80 million to support housing sector training programs. However, the focus must be on increasing the overall social and affordable housing stock in NSW.


“Community housing providers across NSW have shovel ready projects that can deliver thousands of new affordable rental homes across the state in the short term if they can secure capital funding or land from government.


“The Government had signalled it would support those efforts. It is very disappointing that many of these projects will now be put on hold and won’t provide the homes people need as the full impact of the recession begins to bite hard.”


“By not investing in new social housing today, the NSW Government has missed an opportunity to support jobs and economic growth,” says Mr Degotardi.

Media contact: Hannah Craft, 0423 377 965