Waiting for social housing: “frustrating, demoralising and demeaning”

A new report from the Institute for Public Policy and Governance at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) reveals for the first time the experiences and often dire circumstances of those on social housing waiting lists and highlights the urgent need for increased social housing.

The report, Waithood: The Experiences of Applying for and Waiting for Social Housing, led by UTS Professor Alan Morris and funded by the Australian Research Council, was launched on Tuesday, 8 August at an online event and panel discussion hosted by Homelessness NSW. 

Nationally, around 175,000 households are on a waiting list for social housing. Even for extremely vulnerable people, it is exceptionally difficult to access social housing. Those on a general waiting list in NSW can expect to wait 10 years or more.

The report draws on 75 in-depth interviews with people in NSW, Queensland and Tasmania waiting for social housing, either on general waiting lists or on a priority list. 

“We wanted to understand what motivates people to apply for social housing, how they find the process, their living circumstances while they wait, and the impact that extended waiting times has on their lives and future plans,” said Professor Morris.

“The purpose of the report is to ensure that the voices of people on the waiting list are heard, and to bring attention to the acute and sometimes complex challenges they face.”

The report finds that people most often apply for social housing when they are in a time of crisis, when they are homeless or escaping domestic violence or struggling with unaffordable rent. Social housing is seen as a safe, secure and affordable way to resolve this crisis.

“Close to a third of those interviewed had applied for social housing after escaping from a domestic violence situation, often with children. At least another third had disability or family members with disability,” Professor Morris said.

Almost all the interviewees were living in difficult and precarious circumstances, including in shelters, couch surfing, staying temporarily with friends or family, sleeping in their car or sleeping rough. Those in rental accommodation were often using a high proportion of their income on rent.

For example, Natalia (not her real name) is on the general waiting list in NSW. She is a single parent on the Disability Support Pension, has three children at home and is also looking after her elderly mother. Her rent in outer Sydney was $700 a week and absorbed about 70% of her income.

The report highlights the daily struggle of individuals unable to adequately feed themselves or their families, and who go without necessary medical procedures, ration medicines, and severely restrict their use of heating and cooling and other basic necessities. 

Interviewees in all three states had no idea if or when they would be offered housing and describe limited communication with the government housing authority. The application process was also challenging for some, particularly those with limited literacy.

The researchers found that the mental and physical health impacts were significant, with many interviewees having high anxiety about their financial situation, accommodation and the future.

Of the 75 interviewees, 42 were interviewed a year later and 18 people had managed to access social housing. They recount how their lives improved dramatically on every level as a result, including the dissipation of anxiety and being able to “reengage with the world”.

The report outlines the decline in social housing availability across all states, and how extended waiting lists effectively deter those on low incomes and struggling in the private rental market from even applying for social housing. 

“This report highlights the urgent need for more social housing as rapidly as possible. Just as importantly, it also illustrates the transitional housing and supports needed to keep those waiting for social housing safe from additional, cumulative harms,” Professor Morris said.

Read more about the study and people's lived experiences of waiting for social housing on The Conversation.

READ THE REPORT