In 2005, the NSW Goverment announced a plan for Reshaping Public Housing. This included changes to rent, water, eligibility, tenure and new initiatives such as the NSW Housing and Human Services Accord. The Reshaping Public Housing reforms aim to ensure a fair public housing system that promotes responsibility and can meet needs now and into the future.
The reforms also apply to applicants for and tenants of Aboriginal Housing Office properties managed by the Housing NSW.
Many elements of the Reshaping Public Housing reforms have now been implemented:
Who is eligible for public housing
- Public housing is provided to people on low incomes who need support services to help them live independently, such as the frail elderly, homeless people and people with a disability, as well as people who have problems accessing affordable and suitable housing in the private rental market.
- Housing NSW reviews the Income Eligibility Limits each year.
How long people can stay in public housing
- Since October 2006, new tenants have been offered short (2 years), medium (5 years) or long-term (10 years) leases to reflect the level and duration of their household’s need
- Fixed term leases are reviewed 6 months before their end date to determine a household's need to remain in public housing. This review is based on an assessment of household income and assets
- This does not affect tenants living in public or Aboriginal housing before 1 July 2005.
How people in need receive support
- Housing NSW and other human service agencies in NSW have developed an agreement called the Housing and Human Services Accord (Accord). The Accord will strengthen partnerships between human services agencies so that tenants are better able to obtain the support they need to live independently in social housing.
How much some people pay to live in public housing
- Tenants pay 25% of their income as rent where the household's gross assessable income is less than the moderate income limit.
- Tenants pay between 25% and 30% of their income as rent where the household's gross assessable income exceeds the moderate income limit.
- Tenants pay market rent where the household's gross assessable income is more than the subsidy eligibility limit.
Who is responsible for meeting the costs of water usage
- Since December 2005, public housing tenants have been responsible for paying for water usage, similar to many private tenants.
How often Housing NSW determines the market rental value of its homes
- Annual market rent reviews are carried out.
How Housing NSW maintains its properties
- Housing NSW is implementing a new approach to maintenance that will see repairs carried out in a more planned approach. This will require regular property inspections so that homes remain in good condition from year to year.
How Housing NSW is renewing communities
- Housing NSW aims to renew the public housing property portfolio over the next 10 years based on long-term projections of demand from high-need groups, the quality of the existing dwellings and value for money.
- The 10-year plan will result in 30,000 homes being purchased, rebuilt or upgraded to better suit the needs of tenants.
The Reshaping Public Housing reforms represent a fundamental policy shift in the delivery of public housing in NSW. The reforms are part of NSW Government Plan for Reshaping Public Housing (PDF file, 64Kb).
Through these reforms the Government aims to ensure that public housing is available and accessible to those people in NSW most in need of that assistance.
Top of page