www.communityhousing.org.au

Community housing in NSW

the way forward

A snapshot of the community housing sector in NSW

100 community housing providers

More than 50,000 properties

84% tenant satisfaction

45 Local government areas

$1.2 billion in investment

Safe, secure, affordable homes for renters in local communities Community housing providers 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.

Between 2012 and 2020, community housing providers in NSW have invested $1.2 billion in new housing supply. 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.

Profits generated from our activities go back into building and sustaining new housing developments. 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 housing sector in NSW over the last 10 years, and its integral role in creating new social and affordable housing supply for people in greatest need throughout NSW.

What we do

Between 2012 and 2020 NSW community housing providers have invested $1.2 billion in NSW

Community housing in NSW

by numbers

[1] and [2] https://www.facs.nsw.gov.au/providers/housing/affordable/about/chapters/who-are-very-low-to-moderate-income-earners

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.

Who lives in community housing in NSW?Our tenants are varied but are united in the need for a safe, secure home they can afford to rent in their local community – whether that’s in the city or in our regional areas.

Community housing providers mainly provide two types of housing: social housing and affordable housing.

Social housingHomes for people on low to moderate incomes who would otherwise be forced into unaffordable housing, insecure housing, or unable to find housing at all.

Affordable housingRental homes for people with a broader range of incomes than social housing.

‘…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…’

Who we support

City West Housing, Blackwattle development, GlebeShortlisted for the NSW Architecture Awards 2020, City West Housing’s 99 unit complex showcases what it means to develop communities - not just properties. The Blackwattle development was built on land vested by the NSW Government and largely funded through City of Sydney affordable housing contributions. This powerful partnership has delivered already for the Glebe community - the development already has a 100% occupancy rate. Residents on very low, low and moderate incomes will be able to afford to rent these properties and CityWest Housing has formed partnerships with other companies to provide free car share memberships and discounted internet connection fees to residents.

Community housing is growing in NSW

Total cost of developments delivered by community housing

providers in NSW

New homes delivered by community housing providers

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Cumulative number of new homes (by type) delivered by community

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Cumulative number of local government areas where

community housing providers have delivered housing

Social housing dwellings A�ordable housing dwellings

Other dwellings

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Cumulative number of new homes (by type) delivered by community

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Cumulative number of local government areas where

community housing providers have delivered housing

Social housing dwellings A�ordable housing dwellings

Other dwellings

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Total cost of developments delivered by community housing

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New homes delivered by community housing providers

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With more new homes (2012-2020)

Between 2012 and 2020, the community housing sector in New South Wales grew rapidly, from delivering 68 dwellings in 2012 to 3,282 homes by May 2020.

The diversity of this development is seen in the number of local government areas where community housing providers have developed new housing.

Within seven years, the number of areas where the sector is building new homes has increased almost fivefold to 45 LGAs.

4,800% growth in new homes built by community housing providers

500% increase LGAs we provide homes in

1,697 NEW affordable homes

824 NEW social housing homes

Total cost of developments delivered

New homes delivered

Cumulative new homes

LGAs with CHP housing

Community housing is continuing

to grow in NSW

Project finance - borrowing by year of project completion

Project finance - community housing provider equity invested

by year of project completion

Project finance - NSW Government contributions by year of project completion

Average project cost and average NSW Government contribution

Average project cost Average NSW Government contribution

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2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 $-

Project finance - borrowing by year of project completion

Project finance - community housing provider equity invested

by year of project completion

Project finance - NSW Government contributions by year of project completion

Average project cost and average NSW Government contribution

Average project cost Average NSW Government contribution

$-

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$140,000,000

2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019

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2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020

2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 $-

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2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 $-

Project finance - borrowing by year of project completion

Project finance - community housing provider equity invested

by year of project completion

Project finance - NSW Government contributions by year of project completion

Average project cost and average NSW Government contribution

Average project cost Average NSW Government contribution

$-

$20,000,000

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2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019

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2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020

2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 $-

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2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 $-

Project finance - borrowing by year of project completion

Project finance - community housing provider equity invested

by year of project completion

Project finance - NSW Government contributions by year of project completion

Average project cost and average NSW Government contribution

Average project cost Average NSW Government contribution

$-

$20,000,000

$40,000,000

$60,000,000

$80,000,000

$100,000,000

$120,000,000

$140,000,000

2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019

$-

$50,000,000

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2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020

2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 $-

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2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 $-

New financing options and investment (2012-2020)

As the community housing sector in New South Wales has matured and increased its capacity to deliver new social and affordable housing, more investors have emerged to support the sector’s business model.

Since 2012, project funding has increasingly been driven by community housing providers working with private financiers. The establishment of the National Housing Finance and Investment Corporation (NHFIC) in 2018 has provided many community housing providers with access to lower-cost finance and longer-term loans that can be leveraged to deliver more housing.

The NSW Government has played an integral role in financing the sector.

During the years when government investment has been strong, community housing providers have been able to build more homes for people in NSW, create jobs in the construction and housing sectors, and increase overall productivity. These new homes make a significant contribution to current demand for new social and affordable housing, and future housing need in response to our growing and ageing population.

Project finance - borrowing Project finance - NSW Government contributions

Project finance - CHP equity invested Project cost & NSW Government contribution

Registered community housing providers own or manage homes for renters across NSW, whether you live in the city or the country

Building homes, building livesThe 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.

Community housing providers provide social and affordable housing to people who are would otherwise struggle to afford a home on the private rental market – including people who are homeless or at risk.

When community housing providers build new housing in well-located areas where people can access essential services, public transport and jobs, they create new opportunities for people to contribute to the social and economic life of their community. This includes essential service workers who would otherwise be priced out of affordable rental properties in these areas – such as nurses, teachers, police officers, cleaners and childcare workers.

Community housing as social infrastructure

And supporting new investment, growth and jobs for local industries

Pacific Link Housing, Pacific Gateway development, GlendaleFormally opened in February 2020, Pacific Link Housing’s Pacific Gateway redevelopment at Glendale demonstrates how partnerships between government and the non-profit housing sector can build new communities. As the inaugural project of the NSW Government’s 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.

Community housing We’re supporting the people of NSW

Evolve Housing, Harts Landing development, PenrithCommunity 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

By putting our tenants first

Through well designed homes in local communities

SGCH, Great Western Highway development, WestmeadSustainability 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.

1032

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364

220

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127

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44

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0 200 400 600 800 1000 1200

Sydney (C)

Penrith (C)

Liverpool (C)

Parramatta (C)

Central Coast (C) (NSW)

Cumberland (A)

Canterbury-Bankstown (A)

Blacktown (C)

Campbelltown (C) (NSW)

Shellharbour (C)

Newcastle (C)

Hornsby (A)

Lake Macquarie (C)

Sutherland Shire (A)

Camden (A)

Fairfield (C)

Shoalhaven (C)

Canada Bay (A)

Mid-Coast (A)

Lismore (C)

Maitland (C)

Georges River (A)

Albury (C)

Wollongong (C)

Blue Mountains (C)

Top 25 LGAs by Planned and Completed Dwellings

number of dwellings

www.communityhousing.org.au

Investment delivered by LGA - NSW

3,282 homes delivered by LGA - Greater Sydney

We’re expanding to support more new communities every year