At least 57,000 NSW households are currently on a social housing waitlist, where they could stay for at least a decade, according to one of the state’s leading welfare advocates.
And, more than $30 million is desperately needed over the next three years to ensure women and children aren’t forced to return to a home at risk of domestic violence.
These are the numbers that have led to Homelessness NSW urging the NSW Government to spend $1 billion each year for a decade, to double the supply of social housing by 2050.
The organisation’s CEO, Dominique Rowe, said the state urgently needed to build 5,000 dwellings annually to lift NSW’s share of social housing from one-in-20 to one-in-10 homes.
“NSW has failed to invest in social housing for decades. Last year, just one-fifth of people seeking help from homelessness services could find long-term accommodation,” she said.
“Our ability to give NSW’s most vulnerable communities a roof over their heads is falling while housing stress and homelessness soar.
“Right now, many of the 57,000 households on the social housing waitlist are forced to wait up to a decade for a safe and stable place to call home.
“Investing in social housing will not only save lives but pay dividends by easing pressure on health, community and justice services in the long run.”
In its budget submission, Homelessness NSW warns frontline services risked staff cuts and closure without a 20% funding boost.
“Underfunded frontline providers are being flooded with calls for help and forced to turn away one in every two people who need accommodation. Services will be unable to keep staff on or their doors open without more funding,” Ms Rowe said.
“Even for people who get through the door, help is limited. Half of those who need temporary or crisis accommodation cannot access it. That means women and children are forced to return to violent partners, seek shelter in a vehicle, on a couch or the street.”
Homelessness NSW is calling for $30 million over three years to provide more temporary accommodation and ensure one-fifth was reserved for women and children experiencing domestic violence.
It also urged the government to develop a dedicated approach to ending homelessness among Aboriginal communities.
“It is unacceptable that we have failed to reduce the rate of homelessness among Aboriginal people who account for a third of those receiving help from frontline services in NSW,” Ms Rowe said.
“The solutions must be led by Aboriginal people and investment is needed in Aboriginal organisations and across the whole sector to support this work.”
For more on this topic:
- Solution to homelessness in the Hunter?
- Raymond Terrace gets housing boost
- Lake Macquarie housing crisis
- Home in Place keen to access $10b
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