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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

RELEASE ENDS

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

Meeting the Central Coast’s housing shortfall

Meeting the Central Coast’s housing shortfall would support 30,000 jobs

30,780 jobs could be supported in the Central Coast by building new homes the social and affordable housing needed in the region, new analysis by the Community Housing Industry Association (CHIA) NSW has shown.

With a recent Equity Economics report A wave of disadvantage across NSW1 projecting 7.1% unemployment in the Central Coast by July 2021, CHIA NSW has called for government investment to build the 11,400 social and affordable homes the region needs. 2

Based on modelling by the National Housing Finance and Investment Corporation (NHFIC)3 CHIA NSW estimates the total investment of $3.4 billion would support 30,780 jobs during the course of construction.

CHIA NSW CEO Mark Degotardi said by investing in social housing in the next month’s Budget, the NSW government can create local construction jobs for the Central Coast and keep families in the region housed through the coming recession.

“We know that even before COVID-19 the Central Coast needed 17,300 more homes by 2036 for renters struggling to keep a roof over their head.

“Now COVID-19 will increase homelessness in the region by 18% and see 12% more local families in housing stress.

“Social housing construction is one of the best forms of stimulus. It is jobs intensive, creates a valuable public asset, and has the crucial social outcome of providing secure homes that people can afford.

“By increasing social housing supply, public investment can flow to regional communities like Gosford and Wyong to avert catastrophe for thousands of families who will be thrown into housing stress or homelessness by the pandemic.”

Ian Lynch, CEO of the Central Coast-based housing provider Pacific Link Housing, said the impact of social housing investment in the regions had the potential to set off a jobs boom.

‘’The data speaks for itself. The research has found that there is a shortfall of over 11,000 affordable housing dwellings on the Central Coast. With the upcoming NSW Government’s Budget focus on addressing the devastating economic impact of COVID-19, there is so much potential to both strengthen regional economies and meet unmet demand in affordable housing.” said Mr Lynch.

‘’Pacific Link Housing has delivered 119 housing units in the last five years, contributing over $20 million in new housing to the local region and stands ready alongside other providers to collaborate with government in meeting the shortfall of 11,000 affordable dwellings on the Central Coast’.

RELEASE ENDS

Media contact: Hannah Craft, 0423 377 965

1 http://www.equityeconomics.com.au/nsw-impact-of-covid-19

2 https://cityfutures.be.unsw.edu.au/research/projects/filling-the-gap/

3 https://www.nhfic.gov.au/what-we-do/building-jobs-how-residential-construction-drives-theeconomy/

Meeting the Illawarra’s housing shortfall

Meeting the Illawarra’s housing shortfall would support 20,000 jobs

20,768 jobs could be supported in the Illawarra by building the social and affordable housing needed in the region, new analysis by the Community Housing Industry Association (CHIA) NSW has shown.

With a recent Equity Economics report A wave of disadvantage across NSW[1] projecting 9.6% unemployment in the Illawarra by July 2021, CHIA NSW has called for government investment to build the 7,692 social and affordable homes the region needs.[2]

Based on modelling by the National Housing Finance and Investment Corporation (NHFIC)[3] CHIA NSW estimates the total investment of $2.3 billion would support 20,768 jobs during the course of construction.

CHIA NSW CEO Mark Degotardi said by investing in social housing in the next month’s Budget, the NSW government can create local construction jobs for the Illawarra and keep families in the region housed through the coming recession.

“We know that even before COVID-19 the Illawarra needed 10,000 more homes by 2036 for renters struggling to keep a roof over their head.

“Now COVID-19 could increase homelessness in the region by 6% and see  11% more local families in housing stress.

“Housing construction is one of the best forms of stimulus” said Michele Adair, CEO of Wollongong based Housing Trust. “It is jobs-intensive, creates a valuable public asset, and has the crucial social outcome of providing secure homes that people can afford.

“By increasing social housing supply, public investment can flow to regional communities like Wollongong and avert catastrophe for thousands of families who will be thrown into housing stress or homelessness by the pandemic.”

Community housing providers have a proven track record delivering $1.2B in quality housing over the past 10 years.  This includes 113 homes by Housing Trust with many more in the pipeline. We have financial capacity, construction experience and strong community connections.  We are well positioned to partner with Government to deliver stimulus in residential housing to those who need it most” said Ms Adair.

Media contact: Hannah Craft, 0423 377 965

[1] http://www.equityeconomics.com.au/nsw-impact-of-covid-19

[2] https://cityfutures.be.unsw.edu.au/research/projects/filling-the-gap/

[3] https://www.nhfic.gov.au/what-we-do/building-jobs-how-residential-construction-drives-the-economy/

New social housing in NSW

New social housing would support 13,500 jobs a year in NSW

Significant government investment in social housing in NSW would support 13,500 new jobs a year in NSW, particularly in areas worst impacted by job losses as a result of COVID-19 new analysis by the Community Housing Industry Association (CHIA NSW) ahead of the NSW Budget shows.

CHIA NSW is calling for a NSW Government capital fund to address the state’s chronic social housing shortage by building 5,000 new dwellings every year for a decade.

Based on modelling by the National Housing Finance and Investment Corporation (NHFIC)[1] an annual $1.5 billion investment would support 13,500 jobs across the state, creating employment and alleviating housing stress in some of areas that will be worst hit by economic downturn.

CHIA NSW CEO Mark Degotardi says financing new social housing would be ideally targeted stimulus to spur economic recovery, supporting jobs in the Sydney suburbs and regional areas projected to suffer the highest unemployment.

“The NSW Government’s priorities in this budget must be supporting the people in greatest need and spending to support our economy recovery. Social housing is a solution that achieves both those ends,” says Mr Degotardi.

“Community housing providers have already invested $1.2 billion and supported more than 8,000 jobs in NSW since 2012. They’re ready to do so much more.”

A report by Equity Economics this month projects a 24% rise in homelessness in NSW by July 2021, with Newcastle and Lake Macquarie, Coffs Harbour, Parramatta, Blacktown and Sydney’s City and Inner South to experience the highest unemployment. Another 88,000 households are also predicted to enter housing stress due to loss of income.

“We cannot wait until people are forced out of their homes and onto the streets before action is taken. Everyone agrees we need stimulus, and a chorus of experts are pointing to social housing as the most effective option.

“Housing infrastructure is an incredibly jobs-intensive investment. By building housing in these regions, the government can both spur local employment and help families and other renters struggling to pay rent on reduced incomes,” says Mr Degotardi.

“The social housing waitlist was 50,000 households long before the pandemic hit. We are now in a recession and the worst is yet to come.

“The government must act right now to invest in these regions and stem the tidal wave of homelessness and housing stress that is fast approaching our state.

“The NSW Government cannot continue to ignore the crisis that has been on our doorstep for decades. Tens of thousands of families are depending on the Government to take urgent action.”

Media contact: Hannah Craft, 0423 377 965

[1] See analysis in NHFIC’s ‘Building Jobs’ report which demonstrates that $1m in residential construction output supports nine jobs in the economy: https://www.nhfic.gov.au/what-we-do/building-jobs-how-residential-construction-drives-the-economy/

Together Home funding

Together Home funding welcome relief for people experiencing homelessness

CHIA NSW today welcomed the NSW Government’s commitment to homelessness funding in the upcoming NSW Budget and again called for more social housing to keep people in NSW housed during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

CHIA NSW CEO Mark Degotardi said the announcement today that the NSW Government will provide an additional $29 million for its Together Home program recognised the importance of providing people who are homeless with a safe and secure home.

“In short, housing ends homelessness so any program that will get people experiencing homelessness into a safe, secure home is very welcome,” Mr Degotardi said.

“The extension of the program announced today will bring the total investment in the Together Home project to $65 million, by securing private rentals and funding the supports people need to stay housed,” Mr Degardi said.

“The next step must be ongoing investment in a major social housing building program in partnership with community housing providers so we can ensure people at risk of homelessness across NSW have access to housing they can afford.”

Mr Degotardi said with homelessness across NSW set to increase by 24% by July 2021, and another 88,000 families expected to experience rent and housing stress, large scale investment was needed in next month’s NSW Budget.

CHIA NSW has called for an additional 5,000 new social housing properties a year over the next decade to address the chronic shortage of social housing in NSW.

Based on modelling by the National Housing Finance and Investment Corporation (NHFIC)[1] an annual $1.5 billion investment would support 13,500 jobs across the state, creating employment and alleviating housing stress.

“Our state already has a significant undersupply of social housing and one of the least affordable rental housing markets in the world,” Mr Degotardi said.

“Jobs losses as a result of COVID-19 are predicted to create a wave of new housing stress and homelessness. We are hoping this Budget provides the capital funding that provides the homes and jobs local communities urgently need.”

Media contact: Jenny Stokes 0478504280

Women in NSW 

Women in NSW will be at greatest risk of housing stress
and in dire need of social and affordable housing
as the impacts of COVID-19 deepen in early 2021

Women at greatest risk of housing stress and homelessness in NSW

Women in NSW will be at greatest risk of housing stress and in dire need of social and affordable housing as the impacts of COVID-19 deepen in early 2021.  New research has found that women form the majority of 360,000 people in NSW projected to be unemployed by July 2021 and that increases in domestic violence are the single biggest cause of homelessness for women.

The Equity Economics report ‘A Wave of Disadvantage Across NSW: Impact of COVID-19’ commissioned by CHIA NSW, NCOSS, and other housing peak bodies examined reports of domestic violence to NSW Police, with some areas including the Southern Highlands and Shoalhaven, Capital Region, Outer West and Blue Mountains, and Ryde seeing reports of domestic violence rise by between 30% and 40% between May and June 2020, compared to the previous year.

More than half of domestic violence support organisations surveyed reported an increase in clients seeking help.

The report also found homelessness will climb 24% by June 2021, while an additional 88,800 households will be in housing stress, with only one or no income earners.

Mark Degotardi, CEO of the Community Housing Industry Association NSW, says homelessness and housing stress trends are driven by projected unemployment with women bearing the brunt of job losses across Australia.

“The economic impacts of COVID-19 are disproportionately affecting women. Our responses to the pandemic must focus on this group as well,” says Mr Degotardi.

“Before COVID-19 hit, women over 55 were the fastest growing group of homeless people in Australia. Now, in less than a year, tens of thousands of women in NSW will find themselves unemployed or on reduced incomes.

“There is a strong link between unemployment and domestic violence. The report forecasts the highest increase in domestic violence due to higher unemployment is expected to be in Sydney’s Inner West, North Sydney and Hornsby at 5.5%.

“Community housing in NSW already provides affordable homes to women on low incomes, single mothers and older women, who cannot find secure affordable housing in the private rental market.

“There simply isn’t enough social and affordable housing in NSW now. With the demand set to skyrocket in less than a year, we must immediately begin increasing supply.

“Community housing providers across the state have projects in their pipelines that will create thousands of dwellings to help meet this need. But they need the NSW Government to back them in with secure funding and ongoing investment.

“Social housing construction not only creates a valuable asset and a social good; it’s also an incredibly jobs-intensive investment that will jumpstart our state’s economy. It’s a win-win proposition for the government and for women who need access to a secure home they can afford.

“The NSW Government has already flagged an investment for the social housing sector in the upcoming State Budget. We welcome this announcement as the first step towards addressing the housing crisis in NSW. What is important now is that this investment is significant and sustained.”

Media contact: Hannah Craft, 0423 377 965

NSW at a precipice

Homelessness and housing stress in NSW
will reach its highest levels in a generation by next June
unless the NSW Government intervenes to keep families safe and housed.

NSW at a precipice: homelessness set to fall over the cliff without urgent housing investment

Homelessness and housing stress in NSW will reach its highest levels in a generation by next June unless the NSW Government intervenes to keep families safe and housed.

The Equity Economics report ‘A Wave of Disadvantage Across NSW: Impact of COVID-19’ released today by NCOSS found rising unemployment will see homelessness in NSW soar 24% by June 2021 with parts of regional NSW and inner Sydney set to experience disproportionate increases.

In Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, as well as Sydney City and the Inner South homelessness is set to increase by 40.5% within a year.

Homelessness in the Hunter, Coffs Harbour and Eastern Suburbs and Far Western NSW are also set to have proportionally higher increases than other parts of NSW, reflecting already high levels of homelessness and higher local increases in unemployment.

CHIA NSW CEO Mark Degotardi said NSW’s housing crisis could reach a point of no return without immediate broad ranging policy action from the NSW Government.

“NSW is facing down a looming catastrophe that could see 9000 more Australians without a home and 88,000 more families in housing stress within the year,” Mr Degotardi said.

“The NSW Government has foreshadowed a social housing maintenance and  construction program in next month’s Budget, which is good news.

“Today’s report shows the scale of investment required is significant to ensure everybody in NSW has a home and construction jobs are created in local communities across NSW.

“Before COVID-19 community organisations and the property sector were calling for 5,000 new social housing properties a year over the next decade. That need is even more pressing now – this report shows when this recession reaches its peak, thousands of struggling families may have nowhere to go.”

Mr Degotardi said the report found that 48% of medium to long-term housing providers have reported an increased number of inquiries from people seeking housing assistance.

Even those families that manage to keep a roof over their head are projected to experience extreme housing stress, with 88,800 more households set to have only one or no income earner by June 2021, putting them in danger of not meeting rental or mortgage payments.

Overcrowding in dwellings will also increase as a direct result of housing stress, with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people representing nearly 20% of overcrowded households in NSW.

“There were already over 50,000 households on the social housing waiting list before COVID-19 hit. The private market cannot ensure that everyone NSW can afford a secure roof over their head.

“It is time for the NSW Government to step up.  Investment in social housing will provide fantastic outcomes for our community, through job creation, economic growth and meeting housing demand.”

Media contact: Hannah Craft, 0423 377 965

NSW Government social housing

In NSW, we have over 50,000 households
on the social housing waiting list, a queue
that will only grow as the economic impact COVID-19 is felt.

NSW Government social housing commitment is good news

The NSW Treasurer’s commitment to including increased investment in social housing in next Month’s state Budget will create jobs and homes for families in rental stress and losing income as a result of COVID-19, the Community Housing Industry Association (CHIA) NSW has said.

CHIA NSW CEO Mark Degotardi welcomed the commitment to extra funds for renovation and construction of new social housing foreshadowed in today’s Sydney Morning Herald and urged the Government.

“In NSW, we have over 50,000 households on the social housing waiting list, a queue that will only grow as the economic impact COVID-19 is felt.

At the same time we know that homelessness is set to increase by as much as 16,000 people as a result of the pandemic,” Mr Degotardi said.

“Investment in renovation will provide an immediate pipeline of work for trades people and much needed upgrades to existing social housing properties.

“While there’s no detail yet about the level of funding for new homes, we are hoping is at a scale that will deliver 5,000 social housing properties a year that we need over the next 10 years.

“In NSW community housing providers have shovel ready projects that could deliver thousands of new homes with support from Government.”

Mr Degotardi said state governments are being left to shoulder the responsibility for ensuring Australians have a home, despite the national scale of the recession and pending levels of homelessness and rent stress.

“NSW is filling a glaring gap left by the Federal Government after its failure to include any direct investment social housing infrastructure in the Budget this week,” Mr Degotardi said

“It will take all levels of Government working together to drive economic recovery and help fix a housing system that has been broken for decades.”

Media contact: Jenny Stokes, 0478 404 280