Image: Minister for Housing and Homelessness, Rose Jackson. Image: Rose Jackson/Facebook
By JUSTIN COOPER.
The NSW Government has unveiled the Essential Housing Package a part of the upcoming 2023-24 Budget, aiming to provide support for social housing and homelessness across the state.
Announced on Saturday, the $224 million package aims to address long term neglect from the previous Liberal Government, and strengthen supply and initiatives for those experiencing housing insecurity.
The initial investment will be spread out amongst the state in the next 12 months, funding social housing supply and provide solutions towards addressing the growing social housing waitlists.
Focus on regional and Indigenous community support
Premier Chris Minns labelled the budget package as “an important first step” towards supporting people in “vulnerable situations.”
“Everyone deserves access to safe and secure shelter. This package will be a boost to social and affordable housing and will help break cycles of homelessness,” says Minns.
“We have a housing crisis in New South Wales, and we are working across the government to address the challenges,” he continued.
Housing and Homelessness Minister, Rose Jackson, says the funding is the beginning of the government’s plan to “rebuild our housing system.”
“We know there is more work to do but our focus is on directing more money to build social and affordable homes and ensuring everyone in NSW has a safe place to call home,” says Jackson.
Apart from the package funding, $70 million has been allocated towards delivering land and site works for social houses primarily in Regional NSW.
Over $35 million will be delivered to Services Our Way, to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander housing services. An additional $35 million will be utilised for crucial maintenance within social housing.
Additional funds will be divided between multiple housing programs, including $5.9 million towards Specialist Homelessness Services to address the increasing demand.
Packaged welcomed by new housing alliance
Following the plans announcement, action group Housing Now! has praised the action for providing needed investments in providing new public houses.
Former Labor Party Minister and Housing Now! Chair, David Borger, irritated the need for regional housing support.
“We have a regional rental crisis that is affecting every town. People on very low incomes are being pushed out of Sydney because we have not built enough social housing,” says Borger.
“It’s very hard to enjoy the simple pleasures in life, raise a family, run a business or pursue a career when you are struggling to keep a roof over your head.”
Noting the number of people on priority housing waiting lists doubling over the past 5 years, Borger says it’s essential to reduce current social housing vacancies through the new investments.
“This investment is a strong sign of intent from the State Government that housing is going to be the issue which shapes this decade in NSW,” Borger continues.
The recently formed Housing Now! action group is an alliance of multiple business, union and advocacy groups. Groups involved include Business NSW, Health Services Union NSW/ACT/QLD, NSW Vice-Chancellor Committee, Shop, Distributive and Allied Employees Association (SDA), and others.
