A Hunter-based community housing provider is calling on the Federal Government to make a serious commitment to end the housing crisis felt across the Hunter and Australia when it delivers it's budget tonight.
Recent data out of Communities and Justice NSW indicates the expected wait time for a one bedroom studio in Newcastle is between two and five years.
Two, three, and four bedroom properties have a wait list between five and ten years.
As of June last year, there were more than 1,700 applicants on the waitlist for social housing in Newcastle, with 111 in high need of a home.
Home in Place Executive Manager of Business and Public Affairs, Martin Kennedy, said they're hoping to see a commitment made to increase rent assistance, in a bid to ease pressure on the private rental market, and in turn, the social housing sector.
"You can't allow something as fundamental as secure housing to be something that only well-off people can afford. Having that sort of arrangement is completely corrosive to society and to the economy, and that's the direction we're headed in," he said.
"It's incredibly important that we put this right."
The organisation is also hoping the budget will include a boost to the Housing Australia Future Fund.
Mr Kennedy said it's obvious more houses need to be built in order to cater for a growing number of struggling Hunter residents.
"The current level of 30,000 dwellings is better than nothing, but it would be good to see it increased."
