The Baird Government has sold off $650 million worth of social housing in New South Wales over the past two years, despite the social housing waiting list ballooning out to over 60,000 applicants amid the escalating housing affordability crisis.
The NSW Opposition has obtained documents under freedom of information laws which have revealed the rampant sell off of social housing by the Baird Government throughout NSW.
In the 2014-15 financial year, the gross value of social housing asset sales sold totalled $167 million dollars. This figure exploded to an astonishing $485 million dollars – an increase of 189 per cent - for 2015-16 year.
In 2015-2016, $5.93 million of social housing was flogged off in the former Leichhardt, Ashfield and Marrickville LGAs.
NSW needs 100,000 new social and affordable hoses over the next 20 years just to keep up with current levels of demand, according to community housing experts.
Shadow Minister for Social Housing Tania Mihailuk said that the Baird Government should be focussing on increasing the supply of social and affordable housing options rather than selling off existing stock.
Quotes attributable to Jo Haylen, Member for Summer Hill
“There needs to be more social and affordable housing in the Inner West, not less.
“Social housing continues to be one of the largest and most complex issues I assist my constituents with and theses sell offs mean there will only be increased pressures on social housing residents and ever ballooning waiting lists.
“In the face of ongoing gentrification we must not forget that the Inner West is home to many vulnerable people who rely on social housing and are being hit hard by this Government’s heartless approach.
“Yet again the Government is prioritising the interests of property developers and investors rather than increasing the supply of social and affordable housing.
“The Government must also assure the Inner West community that any revenue is being put back into social housing to assist those in need.”