Community Housing Providers will receive relief from rent rises in the private market with an immediate $7.5 million funding boost to keep properties available for social housing tenants.
The additional investment from the NSW Government will be used to retain rental properties that are home to families in social housing who have not been affected by the rising private market rents.
Local Member for Goulburn Wendy Tuckerman said that this is a welcome relief for local community housing providers in the Yass, Goulburn and Highlands regions whose private rental properties used to assist clients are subject to increased rent.
“The additional funding will allow organisations to sustain their leases and continue to deliver positive outcomes for their clients.”
Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW Paul Toole said the assistance will be welcomed in the regions and help community housing providers continue to provide stable accommodation for those who need it the most.
“This boost will ensure tenants in 500 properties across regional and rural NSW will be able to remain in their homes,” Mr Toole said.
Minister for Families, Communities and Disability Services Natasha Maclaren-Jones said in response to the impact of the pandemic, floods and bushfires the NSW Government is committed to ensuring there is no loss of social housing.
“These additional funds will assist providers facing increases in rent and rental property shortages in the private market,” Mrs Maclaren-Jones said.
The funding boost is on top of the$86.1 million that community housing providers receive each year to fund leasing subsidies and will retain more than 650 properties, including around 500 in regional NSW
Currently, more than 5,900 leases are managed by these providers, with the majority of leasing subsidies in Greater Sydney.
An additional 1,750 properties are leased by providers to deliver short-term crisis and transitional housing for people who are experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness.
WENDY TUCKERMAN 