MEDIA RELEASE: Large scale investment in housing infrastructure will address single biggest cost of living for NSW households
15/11/2018
CHIA NSW: A landmark housing study released today shows NSW needs 212,000 new social housing properties over the next 20 years to meet the current shortfall and meet the needs of people in housing stress as the economy the state’s economy and population grows.
The AHURI study by RMIT and UNSW researchers shows that NSW accounts for 30% of social housing need in Australia, with 141,000 new properties needed in Sydney, and 72,000 in regional NSW by 2036 to address the current shortage and meet the future needs of people who are homeless and, renters on very low incomes who are paying more than 30% of their earnings on housing costs.
According to the needs analysis Sydney has a shortage of 80,000 social housing properties, with a 10,000 shortfall in the Parramatta area alone. In the rest of NSW there is a shortage of 56,000 social housing properties.
CHIA NSW CEO, Wendy Hayhurst, said the AHURI report showed the investment needed in housing infrastructure to alleviate the single biggest cost of living expense for many people in NSW.
“The state has a thriving economy and we need to make sure that the growth that flows from this includes everyone in NSW,” Ms Hayhurst said.
“We need to invest in good growth and that means recognising that housing, like schools, hospitals, roads or rail is a part of the critical infrastructure that is vital to creating liveable and sustainable towns, cities and communities.
“The AHURI report shows us what we need to do to ensure our lower income earners, whether they are childcare workers, looking after older people, hospital cleaners or households earning a minimum wage, have a safe, secure and affordable roof over their head.
“Yes it comes with what seems a hefty price tag – as does any infrastructure but we will reap the social and economic dividends downstream and let’s face it NSW isn’t without the resources to put into this.
“AHURI has said the most cost effective way forward is through capital grants to community housing providers, either through access to land and/or capital funding, alongside the availability of cheaper finance through the National Housing Finance Investment Corporation (NHFIC) the Federal government has already established.
“Of course it isn’t just the state government’s responsibility, every level of government must step up. Continuing to do nothing isn’t an option if we want to see NSW continue to thrive.
The full study is at https://www.ahuri.edu.au/research/final-reports/306
Social housing need in Sydney (rounded to nearest 000)
Sydney suburbs | Shortfall 2017 | Additional to 2036 | Number of social housing homes needed by 2036 |
Central Coast | 7,200 | 4,400 | 11,500 |
Baulkham Hills and Hawkesbury | 1,300 | 600 | 1,900 |
Blacktown | 5,300 | 5,200 | 10,500 |
City and Inner South | 6,100 | 6,600 | 12,700 |
Eastern Suburbs | 3,100 | 2,800 | 5,900 |
Inner South West | 13,000 | 9,200 | 22,100 |
Inner West | 4,800 | 3,100 | 7,900 |
North Sydney and Hornsby | 3,800 | 2,300 | 6,100 |
Northern Beaches | 1,800 | 1,300 | 3,100 |
Outer South West | 3,700 | 3,700 | 7,400 |
Outer West and Blue Mountains | 5,000 | 3,600 | 8,600 |
Parramatta | 10,600 | 8,000 | 18,700 |
Ryde | 2,300 | 1,700 | 4,000 |
South West12 | 10,000 | 7,200 | 17,200 |
Sutherland | 1,600 | 1,400 | 3,000 |
Total | 80,000 | 61,000 | 141,000 |
Social Housing need – regional NSW follows
Suburbs | Shortfall 2017 | Additional to 2036 | Number of social housing homes needed by 2036 |
Capital Region | 4,000 | 1,100 | 5,100 |
Central West | 4,100 | 1,200 | 5,300 |
Coffs Harbour Grafton | 3,800 | 900 | 4,700 |
Far West and Orana | 2,200 | 800 | 3,000 |
Hunter Valley | 5,800 | 1,500 | 7,300 |
Illawarra | 5,000 | 2,000 | 6,900 |
Mid North Coast | 5,900 | 1,400 | 7,300 |
Murray | 2,500 | 600 | 3,100 |
New England and North West | 4,300 | 1,200 | 5,500 |
Newcastle and Lake Macquarie | 6,300 | 2,200 | 8,500 |
Richmond Tweed | 6,500 | 1,500 | 7,900 |
Riverina | 2,900 | 800 | 3,700 |
Southern Highlands and Shoalhaven | 2,900 | 800 | 3,700 |
Total | 56,000 | 16,000 | 72,000 |