news, latest-news, public housing, Anglicare

With families in the Illawarra stranded on social housing waiting lists for up to 10 years, Anglicare has called on state Labor and Liberal parties to promise more dwellings ahead of the election. Anglicare pressed ALP and LNP candidates to commit to providing funds to build at least 20,000 additional dwellings over 10 years. Housing NSW estimates a five to 10-year minimum wait for social housing properties with two or more bedrooms, with waiting times for Shellharbour properties cited at over the 10-year mark. The 59,000 families in NSW now on the waiting list for social housing were suffering, Anglicare Sydney CEO Grant Millard said on Tuesday. "While they wait, many encounter rental stress in the private market, housing insecurity or homelessness," he said. "This is hardly surprising as there is an estimated overall shortfall of 100,000 affordable and available dwellings across NSW for individuals and families on very low to moderate incomes." Anglicare Illawarra executive manager Matt Harden said his office was receiving an increasing number of requests for housing help. "We're seeing incredible numbers, around 10-15 calls a day from people in need of a roof over their heads," he said. "Those waiting for five to 10 years are having to make unsustainable choices or are ending up in various states of homelessness like sleeping on couches or in cars." Mr Harden said unstable accommodation arrangements had knock-on effects for families and individuals. "Secure housing improves outcomes and families keep connected in school and communities," he said. "When you're focusing on keeping a roof over your head, it's hard to keep those other things in check." In a statement on behalf of local Labor candidates, Keira MP Ryan Park said the ALP would release its social housing policy soon. "Social housing is an important issue for many Illawarra residents," he said. "The ALP will be announcing its social housing policy in the coming weeks. We have already committed to stopping the Liberals' short-sighted sell-off of public housing. "The current government is selling more than it is building and that is why we have a waiting list of over 60,000 people who are struggling to access housing." The Mercury contacted Liberal candidates Mark Jones (Shellharbour) and Cameron Walters (Wollongong) for comment, but neither replied by deadline.

https://nnimgt-a.akamaihd.net/transform/v1/crop/frm/storypad-35ns5Wme2fedmBqQ6qZE6iD/af8aa62a-f65b-46f2-9c41-0def6686a7d7.jpg/r6_104_2217_1353_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg