The number of people seeking priority housing, because they are at risk of homelessness, has increased by well over 100 per cent across the Northern Rivers.
The Community Housing Industry Association NSW (CHIA NSW), the peak industry body, said the priority housing list is for people who are imminant risk of homelessness. Ballina region has seen a 190 per cent increase in the number of people seeking priority social housing with Casino coming second on 165 per per cent. Tweed Heads has seen a 142 per cent jump, Grafton 132 per cent, Byron Bay 129 per cent, Mullumbimby 118 per cent, Lower Clarence 108 per cent, and Lismore 107 per cent increase.
The latest Anglicare Rental Affordability Snapshot reveals affordability is at the worst rate it has ever been in. Across the nation there were no affordable properties for those on Youth Allowance and only three properties were affordable for those on Job Seeker.
CHIA NSW CEO, Mark Degotardi, said there simply aren’t enough homes available across the Northern NSW region to get people into.
‘Many people are languishing for more than a decade in some suburbs and regions. There’s over 58,000 families and individuals waiting for housing across NSW- that’s why we need significant funding in the upcoming State Budget to start to tackle the housing crisis.’
Analysis by CHIA NSW shows NSW remains one of the lowest investors in public housing, compared to other states and territories. Modelling by SGS Economics and Planning forecast that the NSW Government would need to invest $2 billion per year over five years to deliver 25,000 social and affordable homes.
‘The not-for-profit community housing industry is ready to work with all levels of government to deliver housing solutions to get vulnerable people into priority housing. Community housing providers have projects that are ready to roll but need the funding to get them started,’ said Mr Degotardi.
‘The state budget on June 18 will be a critical one for the Minns Government to show that it is serious- because a housing crisis needs a crisis response. The time for incremental reform and small budget allocations is over.’
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