NCOSS Analysis: NSW Budget 2024-25
Introduction
NCOSS celebrates the substantial investment into social housing. Alongside our members and other peak bodies, NCOSS has been calling for this type of action for many years. While there is certainly more to do, we recognise the significant and commendable steps the Government is taking to create long-term change around housing policy in NSW.
The $5.1 billion to build 8,400 new and refurbished homes, with half prioritised for women and children escaping domestic violence, is a critical step towards rectifying decades of neglect of the social housing system. Similarly, the $528 million in homelessness services is much needed and welcome.
However, this funding alone is not enough to address the housing crisis, and other key areas of the social service sector missed out. There is insufficient investment in domestic and family violence supports, tenancy advice services; homelessness supports; financial counselling; mental health services; community legal services; and neighbourhood centres and other similar place-based services. There is also limited new cost-of-living relief for low-income families.
NCOSS will continue to work with the NSW Government to address the key issues facing the social services sector, especially the widening inequality we’re seeing across NSW.
Read our analysis on specific policy areas below:
Housing and Homelessness — (Download as a PDF)
Cost of Living — (Download as a PDF)
Disasters and Building Resilience — (Download as a PDF)
Child Wellbeing and Development — (Download as a PDF)
Sector Sustainability — (Download as a PDF)
Domestic and Family Violence — (Download as a PDF)
