Housing

Social housing is secure and affordable rental housing for people on low incomes. It includes public and community housing, and housing for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Public housing is owned by NSW Land and Housing Corporation and managed by NSW Department of Communities and Justice while community housing is managed by non-government organisations.

Social housing provides an important social infrastructure in the inner city and adds to economic opportunity, as well as the diversity of our communities. The quality of this supply is important to tenant and wider community wellbeing. It’s a major part of the city’s housing mix and provides the largest supply of affordable and secure housing for people on pensions, benefits, or low incomes.

The City of Sydney, NSW Land and Housing Corporation, and Department of Communities and Justice are working together to improve housing services for at-risk and vulnerable residents in the city. Together we provide housing and associated services to nearly 9,700 social housing tenancies in our area, which makes up 8.3% of all local housing.

A wide range of factors impact on the wellbeing and safety of social housing residents. While many residents who live in social housing feel safe, secure and connected to their community, other residents and estates experience problems related to public amenity, community safety and access to services.

In our local area, 5 neighbourhood advisory boards operate in the major social housing estates of Redfern, Waterloo, Surry Hills, Woolloomooloo and Glebe. Our representatives attend regular meetings in each area with other government and non-government stakeholders to respond to community issues. This includes the built environment, asset management, safety, health and wellbeing, and social programming.

The Lord Mayor hosts regular social housing forums for residents to raise community issues in each of the major housing estates, as well as in Ultimo and Pyrmont. The forums are also a great opportunity to provide local area updates and promote upcoming activities and events.  Panellists include NSW Police Force, NSW Land and Housing Corporation, Department of Communities and Justice, and elected local officials.