THE latest social housing figures for NSW show more than 1400 applicants are waiting for accommodation across the region, with some being forced to wait for up to five years.
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According to the NSW government’s figures, more than 59,000 people are in need of a home across the state, with waiting times as long as 10 years in Sydney.
Across the Hunter New England region, there are 27 fewer applicants on the waiting list compared to this time last year, however, in Tamworth alone there are almost 500 households with an expected waiting time of two to five years.
Homes North chief executive officer Maree McKenzie said waiting times across the New England and North West were pretty reasonable compared to metropolitan areas.
But, the more critical issue in regional areas was prioritising the more vulnerable sectors of the community.
“Young people are probably the most vulnerable group,” she said.
“Renting takes a larger proportion of their income and they generally have no rental history.”
Ms McKenzie said the elderly were another vulnerable demographic because of a lack of housing appropriate to their needs.
She said it was critical to provide support for these groups once they were placed in housing, to ensure they could sustain the arrangement.
Ms McKenzie said Homes North was working with Tamworth Family Support Service to develop a shared youth housing program.
Aimed at up-skilling young people with responsibilities needed to maintain accommodation, the program offers shared living as an affordable option for young people.
NSW Council of Social Services deputy chief executive John Mikelsons said more money was needed for social and affordable housing.
“Social and affordable housing stock in NSW needs an injection of funds and it needs new and innovative thinking to make the best possible use of those funds,” he said.
“Secure, affordable housing that is connected to transport and jobs, to education and support services, is a crucial piece of the puzzle for reducing poverty and disadvantage in this state.”