Research Paper for Action for Public Housing Glebe (A4PH): What are the implications of the growth of community housing for social housing tenants concerning security of tenure as well as public oversight and tenancy freedom in NSW?

Abstract

This paper examines the socioeconomic impacts of Community Housing Providers (CHPs) on social housing tenants in New South Wales (NSW), with a focus on security of tenure, tenant freedoms, and public oversight. It finds that while CHPs contribute to increasing housing stock, their rapid expansion has negative effects on tenants, including reduced ontological security, widening social inequalities, and restrictions on tenant rights through conditional behavior clauses in leases. The paper recommends regulatory reforms to address these issues. Key proposals include mandatory performance reporting for CHPs, a minimum five-year lease term to enhance tenant security, and the establishment of a public housing developer to reduce reliance on the private sector. These reforms aim to improve tenant well-being, protect their rights, and ensure equitable social outcomes across NSW.