Community

housing in NSW
the way forward

A snapshot of the community

housing sector in NSW

www.communityhousing.org.au
What we do

Safe, secure, affordable

homes for renters Community
in local communities housing in NSW
Community housing providers
by numbers
manage and maintain affordable
rental housing for our tenants in local
communities across NSW.
In New South Wales over 100 registered community housing
providers currently manage more than 50,000 properties
for NSW families.
100 community
Between 2012 and 2020, community housing providers housing
in NSW have invested $1.2 billion in new housing supply.
providers
The community housing sector in NSW is the largest in
Australia.Through a not-for-profit business model, community
housing providers put their tenants’ interests first.
More than
Profits generated from our activities go back into 50,000
building and sustaining new housing developments.
properties
This creates more homes for tenants to live in, and new
jobs in housing construction and management in our
local communities.

This snapshot demonstrates the growth of the community 84% tenant

housing sector in NSW over the last 10 years, and its integral satisfaction
role in creating new social and affordable housing supply for
people in greatest need throughout NSW.
45 Local
government
areas

$1.2 billion in
Between 2012 and investment
2020 NSW community
housing providers
have invested $1.2
billion in NSW
[1] and [2] https://www.facs.nsw.gov.au/
providers/housing/affordable/about/chapters/
who-are-very-low-to-moderate-income-earners
Who we support

Who lives in community City West Housing,

housing in NSW? Blackwattle development,
Glebe
Our tenants are varied but are united in Shortlisted for the NSW Architecture
Awards 2020, City West Housing’s
the need for a safe, secure home they can 99 unit complex showcases what

afford to rent in their local community – it means to develop communities -

not just properties. The Blackwattle
whether that’s in the city or in our regional development was built on land vested
by the NSW Government and largely
areas. funded through City of Sydney
affordable housing contributions. This
Community housing providers mainly provide two types of powerful partnership has delivered
housing: social housing and affordable housing. already for the Glebe community -
the development already has an 85%
Social housing occupancy rate. Residents on very
Homes for people on low to moderate incomes who would low, low and moderate incomes will be
otherwise be forced into unaffordable housing, insecure able to afford to rent these properties
housing, or unable to find housing at all. and CityWest Housing has formed
partnerships with other companies to
Affordable housing provide free car share memberships
Rental homes for people with a broader range of incomes than and discounted internet connection
social housing. fees to residents.

‘…where their household income is not high enough to pay

market rent in the area in which they live and/or work. This is
sometimes the case even for people working full-time in an
essential service such as a police officer, nurse or a child care
worker…’

Very low income, low income or moderate income…..

People described as being on a “very low income” are those earning less
than 50% of the NSW or Sydney median income, depending on where
they live [1]. They include workers in a range of lower paid occupations,
particularly in areas such as retail or manufacturing, as well as people
earning the minimum wage [2] or who are on an aged or disability pension
or other government benefit.
People earning more than 50% but less than 80% of the NSW or Sydney
median income are described as earning a low income. They include many
people working in jobs such as a child care worker, secretary or cleaner.
People described as being on a moderate income are those earning between
80-120% of the NSW or Sydney median income. They may include people
working in occupations such as teaching, policing or nursing, particularly if
they are in earlier stages of their careers.
Community housing
is growing in NSW Total cost of developments
delivered by community housing
providers in NSW
Total cost of developments
delivered by community housing
$1,400

With more new homes (2012-2020) $1,200 providers in NSW

costs ($,000)
Total cost of developments delivered
$1,000
$1,400

Between 2012 and 2020, the community $800

$1,200

costs ($,000)
housing sector in New South Wales grew

Development
$1,000
$600

rapidly, from delivering 68 dwellings in $800

$400

Development
2012 to 3,282 homes by May 2020. $600
$200

$400
$-
2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020
The diversity of this development is seen in the $200

number of local government areas where community $-

2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020
housing providers have developed new housing. New homes delivered by
community housing providers
Within seven years, the number of areas where the New homes delivered
New homes delivered by
sector is building new homes has increased almost 4000
community housing providers
3500
fivefold to 45 LGAs.
3000
4000
2500
3500

4,800% growth in new homes 2000

3000

1500
2500
built by community housing providers
1000
2000

500
1500

500% increase Cumulative

1000
(by
0
type)
number of new homes
2013delivered
LGAs we provide homes in Cumulative
500
2012
numberby
2014 2015 2016
of community
new
2017
homes
2018 2019 2020

housing providers
(by 0type) delivered by community
4000

housing providers
2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020
Cumulative new homes
1,697 NEW
3500
4000
3000
3500
affordable homes 3000
2500

2000
2500

824 NEW social

1500
2000
1000

housing homes
1500
500

1000 0
2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020
500
Social housing dwellings Affordable housing dwellings
0
Other dwellings
2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020

Social housing dwellings Affordable housing dwellings

Cumulative
Other number
dwellings of local
government areas where
community housing providers
Cumulative
have number
LGAs delivered
with CHP housing
of local
housing
50
government areas where
45
community housing providers
40 have delivered housing
5035

4530

4025

3520

3015
10
25
5
20
-
15 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020

10

-
2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020
 Project finance - borrowing by
year of project completion

Community housing
$140,000,000

$120,000,000

Project finance - borrowing by

$100,000,000

is continuing
$80,000,000
year of project completion
$60,000,000

$40,000,000
$140,000,000

to grow in NSW
$20,000,000
$120,000,000

$100,000,000$-
2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019
$80,000,000

$60,000,000

$40,000,000

New financing options and investment (2012-2020) $20,000,000

$-

Project
2012
finance
2013 2014
- community
2015 2016 2017 2018 2019

As the community housing sector in New South Wales has matured

housing provider equity invested
and
increased its capacity to deliver new social and affordable
by year of projecthousing,
completion more
investors have emerged to support the sector’s
$300,000,000
business model.

DuringProject finance - community

$250,000,000
Since 2012, project funding has the years when government
increasingly been driven by community housinghas
$200,000,000
investment provider equitycommunity
been strong, invested
by year of project completion
housing providers working with $150,000,000
housing providers have been able to
private financiers. The establishment build more homes for people in NSW,
$100,000,000
$300,000,000

of the National Housing Finance and create jobs in the construction and
$50,000,000
$250,000,000

Investment Corporation (NHFIC) in 2018 housing$-sectors,

$200,000,000 and increase overall
2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020
has provided many community housing productivity.
$150,000,000 These new homes make
providers with access to lower-cost a significant contribution to current
$100,000,000

finance and longer-term loans that can demand

$50,000,000 for new social and affordable

be leveraged to deliver more housing. housing, $- and future housing need in

Project finance - borrowing by Project

response to 2012 finance
2013 2014 -
our growing
NSW
2015 2016 Government
and ageing
2017 2018 2019 2020

The NSW
year Government has played an
of project completion contributions by year of project completion
population.
integral role in financing the sector. $120,000,000
$140,000,000
$100,000,000
$120,000,000

Project finance - borrowing by

$100,000,000 Project finance - NSW Government
$80,000,000

$80,000,000year of project completion

Project finance - borrowing contributions by
Project finance
$60,000,000 year
- NSW of project
Government completion
contributions
$60,000,000
$40,000,000
$120,000,000
$140,000,000
$40,000,000
$20,000,000
$120,000,000 $100,000,000
$20,000,000
$100,000,000 $-
$- $80,000,000
2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020
$80,000,000 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019
$60,000,000
$60,000,000
$40,000,000
$40,000,000
$20,000,000
$20,000,000

$- $-
2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020
Project finance - community
housing provider equity invested Average project cost and average
by yearfinance
Project of project completion
- CHP equity invested NSW
Project Government
cost contribution
& NSW Government contribution
$50,000,000
$300,000,000

Project finance - community

$250,000,000
$40,000,000

housing
$200,000,000 provider equity invested Average project cost and average
$30,000,000

by year of project completion

$150,000,000 NSW Government contribution
$20,000,000
$50,000,000
$100,000,000
$300,000,000
$10,000,000
$50,000,000
$250,000,000 $40,000,000
$-
$-
$200,000,000 $30,000,000 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020
2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020
Average project cost Average NSW Government contribution
$150,000,000
$20,000,000
$100,000,000
$10,000,000
$50,000,000
Community housing
as social infrastructure

Building homes, And supporting new

building lives investment, growth and
jobs for local industries
The community housing sector has the
capacity to build and invest in new housing
where people need it most.
Over the last decade, many social and affordable housing
properties have been built in local government areas that
have been identified by the NSW Government, financiers,
infrastructure bodies, and economic forecasters as critical
hotspots for economic growth and productivity.
Pacific Link Housing,
Community housing providers provide social and affordable
Pacific Gateway
housing to people who are would otherwise struggle to afford
a home on the private rental market – including people who are development, Glendale
homeless or at risk. Formally opened in February
2020, Pacific Link Housing’s Pacific
When community housing providers build new housing in well- Gateway redevelopment at Glendale
located areas where people can access essential services, public demonstrates how partnerships
transport and jobs, they create new opportunities for people to between government and the non-
contribute to the social and economic life of their community. profit housing sector can build
This includes essential service workers who would otherwise be new communities. As the inaugural
priced out of affordable rental properties in these areas – such as project of the NSW Government’s
nurses, teachers, police officers, cleaners and childcare workers. Communities Plus program (through
the Land and Housing Corporation)
the site was redeveloped from 4
housing commission units into a
full mixed tenure development. This
includes 6 social housing units, 5
affordable and 10 private housing
units. By providing more housing and
investment in the regional areas that
Pacific Link Housing develops, such
projects become vital pipelines of new
economic investment, growth and job
creation for local industries.

Registered community housing providers own

or manage homes for renters across NSW,
whether you live in the city or the country
Community
housing We’re supporting the people of NSW

By putting our tenants first

Evolve Housing, Harts Landing development, Penrith
Community housing providers drive developments that not only provide new housing, but new
services for their communities. Evolve Housing’s Harts Landing development at Penrith is a leading
example in this regard. The mixed tenure project delivers 268 social, affordable and private
dwellings for tenants, creating a major housing hub in the Penrith area. However, it’s the additions
to the complex that highlight how tenants are central to design considerations. The complex houses
a social enterprise and tenants have direct access to Evolve’s realty business Echo Realty with an
office located in the complex. This exceptional level of integrated service was recognized through a
NSW Australasian Housing Institute Award as a Leading Housing Development in 2019.

And our environment

Through well designed homes in local communities

SGCH, Great Western Highway development, Westmead
Sustainability is emerging as a critical focus for community housing providers seeking to create
long-term infrastructure that minimises climate impacts. SGCH’s award-winning Great Western
Highway development delivers sustainability-centric design. Completed in 2018, these 67 social
and affordable homes achieved a 4-star Green Star standard against the Green Building Council
of Australia’s rating system, and a 6.8 star rating under the Nationwide House Energy Rating
Scheme (NatHERS). The development utilises high-grade glass, high-performance insulation,
shading, and ceiling fans creating cooler spaces and reducing energy costs for households. Solar
panels reduce operating costs, powering common area lighting. All features which helped it win
the Urban Taskforce Development Excellence Award for Affordable Housing in 2019.

Blue Mountains (C) 42

Wollongong (C) 44
Albury (C) 56
Georges River (A)
Maitland (C)
64
72
Top 25 LGAs by Planned
Lismore (C)
Mid-Coast (A)
72
74
and Completed Dwellings
Canada Bay (A) 79
Shoalhaven (C) 80
Fairfield (C) 117
Camden (A) 122
Sutherland Shire (A) 127
Lake Macquarie (C) 127
Hornsby (A) 140
Newcastle (C) 149
Shellharbour (C) 156
Campbelltown (C) (NSW) 159
Blacktown (C) 163
Canterbury-Bankstown (A) 167
Cumberland (A) 195
Central Coast (C) (NSW) 208
Parramatta (C) 220
Liverpool (C) 364
Penrith (C) 498
Sydney (C) 1032

0 200 400 600 800 1000 1200

number of dwellings
We’re expanding to support more
new communities every year

3,282 homes delivered by LGA - Greater Sydney

Investment delivered by LGA - NSW

www.communityhousing.org.au