Submission: Submission to the Select Committee on Social, Public and Affordable Housing

RLC's submission is informed by the recent Auditor-General's report Making the Best Use of Public Housing, and its findings and recommendations. RLC submits that to overcome several of the issues that we assist our clients with, which are detailed in this paper, more capital investment in housing stock is needed. Our position is that public housing is the most important type of affordable housing in NSW, because it is targeted towards those most in need. The Auditor-General's report indicated that in mid 2012 there were 55,000 applicants on the waiting list for public housing, with that number expected to grow to more than 86,000 by 2016. With the tightening of eligibility criteria for public housing, this figure does not nearly represent the number of people in NSW who struggle to meet their housing needs in the private market.

While selling and transferring LAHC properties may address the capital shortfalls in the short-term, it will not address housing need in the long-term. There would be a greater benefit to public housing tenants if LAHC focused on acquiring properties that are universally accessible, as no one form of housing will address housing need in future.

Primary Recommendation: LAHC should increase investment into public housing, and into acquiring properties suitable for all tenants, particularly those with disabilities.

The shortfall in housing stock affects not only the large number of households on the waiting list, but also current tenants whose housing is no longer appropriate for their needs. The need for investment is also clear in regards to repairs and maintenance. Many of our clients experience significant difficulties in getting repairs done to their properties, especially major or structural repairs. Our submission seeks to share the impact this has on tenants in our catchment area and make some suggestions for policy, practice and legislative change, which could address these issues.

Read RLC's submission in full.