ATTITUDES are one of the reasons for a “clogged” social housing system, with some approved applicants in Bathurst waiting more than a decade to secure a home.
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In Bathurst, the wait for a two or three- bedroom social housing property is more than 10 years, while the wait on one or four-bedroom houses is an average of two to five years.
Housing Plus chief executive officer Karen Andrew said a number of factors contribute to the long waiting times, but singled out attitudes as a factor.
“Some people see it as a house for life, rather than a house on a temporary basis,” she said. “There is an inter-generational expectation that it is a right of passage, that when you’re old enough you can apply for your own house.
“Individuals believe it’s a right for life ... it’s not a right for life, it’s a safety net.”
She said around 50 per cent of people who are living in public housing do so for more than 10 years.
Ms Andrew said there are currently 59,500 approved applicants on the waiting list for social housing in NSW, and Housing Plus is working on ways to free up “under-occupied” homes.
She cited “empty nesters” as a way some larger homes could be freed up.
“When someone has raised their children in a four-bedroom home, and the children have left ... we’re trying to move these people, with their consent, to smaller accommodation that’s more suitable to their needs,” she said.
The data from Housing NSW shows Bathurst ranks slower than Orange in accessing most social housing options, despite around 700 properties being spread across the two cities.
Ms Andrew said a social housing discussion paper released last week by Community Services Minister Gabrielle Upton will get people talking about solutions for the under-pressure public housing system.
“It might be providing support around education and training or living skills support,” she said.
“If you are working and can afford to go into the private housing sector, then perhaps we should change that.
“It’s a measure for people who are vulnerable, and there are many, many reasons why people need to stay and I whole-heartedly support them.”
The newly formed Wattle Tree House in Bathurst has assisted more than 100 people with housing requests in the nine weeks since it opened for business.
Bringing together the services of Bathurst Women and Children’s Refuge, Bathurst Emergency Accommodation Place, Mission Australia and Bathurst Women’s Housing, team leader Ang Brown said there is a huge need for their services.
