NSW Budget 2024: Social Housing Investment 'Impressive' But Other Key Services Miss Out
NCOSS Responds to NSW Budget 2024
The NSW Council of Social Service has welcomed the NSW Budget, calling the $5.1 billion investment into social housing an impressive result but expressed concern that other key areas in the social service sector missed out.
NCOSS CEO Cara Varian said the peak body has been calling for greater investment into social housing for years and was pleased to see such a substantial investment to address the problem.
“Social housing in NSW has been at breaking point for too long. NCOSS is very happy to see this boost to new social housing supply, and upgrades to existing supply,” Ms Varian said.
“In the context of a housing crisis, this is a responsible decision from the NSW Government to rectify decades of neglect of the social housing system.
“Safe and reliable housing is the foundation for people to live a healthy and dignified life, enabling them access to services, social connections and employment opportunities.
“The NSW Government is not going to fix the housing crisis with this Budget, but it is taking significant and commendable steps to create long-term change around housing policy in NSW.
“With nearly one million people living below the poverty line across our State – this is a timely investment into an area of great need.”
Ms Varian noted other gaps in the Budget, specifically around mental health services and limited new cost-of-living relief for low-income families.
“There is more work to do. We need more investment in critical social infrastructure and front-line support,” Ms Varian said.
“In future we want to see more investment into the entire mental health system, particularly for our community-based mental health services.
“There are limited additional cost-of-living supports for low-income families, which is unfortunate given the immense pressure they are under to make ends meet during this cost-of-living crisis.
“And there was no funding for early intervention and family preservation services to ensure kids and families are getting the support they need early, instead of when they hit crisis point.
“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.”
NCOSS is hosting its Post-Budget Breakfast on Tuesday 25 June, where the NSW Treasurer and Shadow Treasurer will pitch their economic case to the sector.
To register, and for more information, visit www.ncoss.org.au
Media contact: Billy Briggs | 0474 697 235
