A growing state requires a steady supply of housing to meet the needs of its population, and it’s true that NSW has slipped behind. But for those of us advocating for a secure home for all, it is the supply of social and affordable housing that must dramatically increase.  

The good news? Increasing social and affordable housing is a great investment in the future of NSW — a sure bet. Shelter NSW was relieved to see a multi-billion dollar commitment to more and better social (public and community) housing dominate this year’s state budget. That hardly ever happens!

As Shelter NSW CEO John Engeler noted on budget day: 
Over the last decade there were years where the NSW Government sold or demolished more public housing than it built or bought. That’s how we ended up in this mess.  It’s a relief to see the damaging trend of declining and decaying public housing investment reversed.

Shelter NSW welcomes the large commitment of $5.1 billion in capital expenditure over four years for new social housing. According to the Government, this will fund the land purchase and construction of 8,400 new social homes (including 2,200 replacement homes). An investment of $810 million for critical maintenance is a smart investment – bringing homes back online and preventing disrepair. A $202.6 million over four years to the Aboriginal Housing Office is also welcomed. 

Ensuring the state’s homelessness services are well-equipped to support the many thousands of people who need help remains a priority. A $527.6 million support package for homelessness services is welcomed but leaves a stretched sector still being forced to turn away large numbers of the people, including children, who turn up at their doors asking for help.  

Of course these are state commitments. Along with the NSW State Government and the broader Community Housing sector we anxiously await the outcome of the Commonwealth’s first big funding round. 

For more information you can: 

• read the full Inner Sydney Voice article here: The-big-sure-bet-of-increasing-social-housing.pdf (shelternsw.org.au) 
• read our full budget day media release here: After years of neglect NSW Government finally steps in to tackle the housing crisis head on
• listen to Shelter NSW CEO, John Engeler, be interviewed by ABC Radio on Budget Day (he starts at 2 hours and 41 minutes in) here