Recent state government data shows more than 1,600 applicants from the Hunter are currently on the waitlist for social housing.
The St Vincent de Paul Society NSW says this figure has risen from 1,566 to 1,603 in the last financial year alone, and believes that both the state and federal government should be doing more to help.
While the Hunter is an area of particular concern, the new data shows alarming numbers across the state.
NSW currently has around 46,000 general social housing applicants.
Each applicant represents a household, not an individual, meaning NSW has well over 100,000 people without a place to call home.
Vinnies has called on the state government to build an additional 5,000 new social housing properties each year for the next decade to address the problem.
Maitland/Newcastle social justice representative, Sister Carmel Hanson, believes more funding will help those in need.
“The social housing waitlist is remaining stagnant, which leaves our community’s most vulnerable to sink deeper into poverty,” she said.
“I’ve lived with homeless people for over 30 years, and the fact that some people have to wait up to 10 years for a home is simply unacceptable. Everybody needs a safe and secure place to live.”
According to Sister Hanson, it can be difficult to create a sense of stability without a permanent home.
“With a residential address, you have a place to store your belongings, your healthcare professionals know where they can reach you, you have neighbours that know you, and your children have a place to grow and call home,” she said.
“It’s more than a sense of permanency – having a home plugs you back into society.”
Sister Hanson says it’s all too easy for homeless people to fall victim to the poverty cycle.
“Your hand is always in your pocket – whether it’s chipping in for amenities while couch surfing, or buying takeaway meals because you don’t have a kitchen to cook,” she said.
“And, without a stable home life, it can be difficult to seek employment.
“Combine these factors and you’ll find it’s very difficult to build up any kind of savings – it’s a vicious cycle.”
Sister Hanson adds COVID-19 has also dramatically impacted these vulnerable populations.
“A lot of those casual work opportunities dried up, an uncertain economy meant people were giving less, and health fears saw less locals opening their homes to those in need,” she said.
“This led to a lot of social isolation and, as a result, many found themselves battling mental health problems, like depression.”
To break the cycle and offer support to the Hunter’s vulnerable, Sister Hanson believes lobbying for more social housing is essential.
“There will always be people in our society who, through no fault of their own, don’t have that sense of stability,” she said.
“But every Australian has the right to a home, and we’re asking the government to show their support for those currently missing out.”
Sister Hanson referred to a new 94-unit housing complex, which was unveiled in Cardiff last week, as a shining example.
“We saw an investment in not only social housing, but also those essential wraparound services like financial classes, house maintenance, domestic violence counselling, homework mentoring, and more,” she said.
“The holistic approach used in Cardiff ensures families aren’t left in isolation.”
The St Vincent de Paul Society NSW hopes to see more of this kind of support in the future.
“The funding for social housing in last year’s state budget didn’t go far enough to address the number of people in need of a home,” Sister Hanson said.
“Every day, we’re seeing people in need of assistance when it comes to basics like food, clothing, and bills.”
Sister Hanson challenges the state government to reduce the housing waitlist and asks for a similar commitment from the federal government to ensure people are protected when they fall on hard times.
