New Government takes steps to deliver a home for everyone

The St Vincent de Paul Society NSW welcomes the many positive initiatives undertaken by the NSW Government in its first 100 days post-election, in recognition of the need to create more safe, secure and affordable homes in NSW.

“We are pleased to see the new government delivering on its pre-election commitments and we welcome recent announcements to increase affordable housing and action to progress rental reforms,” said Yolanda Saiz, St Vincent de Paul Society NSW CEO.

Social and Affordable Housing

With over 125,000 people in NSW waiting for social housing and wait time exceeding 10 years in most cities, the need to deliver new social homes is critical. We recognise the government’s commitment to deliver more social housing and to freeze the sale of public housing. The Society is calling for an additional 5,000 new social homes each year to bring social housing up to 10% of all dwellings.        

Meanwhile, the high cost of housing is forcing people on lower incomes further from jobs, transport and other services, with three quarters of all low-income households renting in the private market living in housing stress.

“The recent announcement from the Government to incentivise residential housing developers that include at least 15% affordable housing in their plans, will help to accommodate those people who have a job but who are increasingly struggling to afford their rent. It is important that this housing is managed by a community housing provider and remains affordable in perpetuity,” says Ms Saiz.

Rental reform

With more than two million people renting across the state, regulating for secure and affordable housing is essential.            

“The passing of the Rental Fairness Bill to establish a portable bonds scheme and close secret rent bidding loopholes is a step in the right direction to make renting fair for low-income and vulnerable households,” said Ms Saiz.

The Society also welcomes the plans to recruit a NSW Rental Commissioner to oversee the implementation of important changes to NSW tenancy laws, including introducing reasonable grounds evictions and ending no-pet bans.

The next priority must be addressing the rent price gouging that is forcing many people who rent into homelessness. The Society is calling for the introduction of fair limits to rent increases in line with the ACT model.

Homelessness funding

Recent street count data showed a 34% increase in the numbers of people sleeping rough over the past year, and Census data shows that more than 35,000 people are without a place to call home in NSW. Around half of all the people who sought accommodation support from a Specialist Homelessness Services (SHS) missed out due to a lack of services.

While the Government’s announcement of a two-year extension of SHS contracts will allow providers to plan for the recommissioning process, the sector needs an immediate funding injection to support the growing numbers of people experiencing homelessness and in crisis.

Paul Burton, St Vincent de Paul Society NSW State President comments, “As the cost-of-living crisis continues, it is vital that the NSW government continue taking the steps needed to address our state’s housing and homelessness crisis and meet the increasing demand for services. 

“The Society is heartened by the new State Government’s commitment to ensuring the people of NSW are afforded the services and standards to live with dignity. We look forward to continuing to work collaboratively with the government to deliver the changes needed to our housing system to ensure affordable homes for everyone,” said Mr Burton.

The policy positions proposed by the Society are outlined in the 2023 Election Statement.