Social Housing

You may be eligible for social housing if you:

• Are on a low income or pension.
• Don’t have stable housing or are at risk of homelessness.
• Experiencing family or domestic violence.
• Living with disability.
• Facing other challenges that make it hard to access private rentals.

Applicants for social housing must meet and provide evidence of the following eligibility requirements set by the NSW Government, for each household member aged over 18:

• Age – You should be at least 18 years of age (in some circumstances, you can apply if aged 16 or over).
• Identity – Proof of identity.
• Residency – NSW residency or an established need to live in NSW.
• Citizenship – You must be an Australian citizen or permanent resident.
• Income and Assets – All household members must be within the income eligibility limits.
• Tenant Capability – Your ability to sustain a successful tenancy, with or without established support.
• Property Ownership – You must provide evidence of any property ownership or part ownership.
• Debt Repayments – Any outstanding debts to past social housing providers must be repaid.
• Disability or Medical Requirements – Evidence of any ongoing conditions that impact your housing needs.

More information can be found: Evidence Requirements Information Sheet.

Applications for social housing are managed centrally by Homes NSW through the Housing Register. While we don’t process applications directly, we’re here to help. You’ll find all the details below on how to apply online, by phone, or in person.

If you’re still having difficulty with the application process after reading the below, you’re welcome to get in touch with us for extra support.

The fastest and easiest way is to apply online (an email address is required):

Apply Online

You’ll need to provide documents like:

• Centrelink income statement or payslips.
• Medical or support letters (if you have them).

You can call the Housing Response Centre on 1800 422 322 (Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm).

Have your Medicare and Centrelink details on hand.

You can also visit your local Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ) Housing Office.

More information and link to forms which may be required: Apply for housing assistance | NSW Government

Once approved, you’ll be added to the NSW Housing Register – a list of people waiting for social housing.

You’ll be contacted when a suitable home becomes available. Wait times depend on your needs, where you want to live and available homes.

If your situation changes, you must update your application by completing the Change of Circumstances online form.

You can check the status of your application anytime by registering for MyHousing Online, or by installing the MyHousing mobile app.

The time it takes to be offered a home can vary widely, dependent on several factors:

• Number of available properties – Some areas (known as allocation zones) have fewer vacancies or smaller housing stock, which can mean longer wait times.
• How many people are applying – High demand in your chosen area can increase the wait, especially for certain types of homes (like larger properties or ground floor units).
• Your preferences – If you’re open to different locations or types of social housing (such as public, community or Aboriginal housing), you may have a better chance of being housed sooner.
• Whether you qualify for priority housing – People with urgent needs, like homelessness, domestic violence, or serious health issues, may be placed higher on the list.

Being flexible with where and how you’re willing to be housed can make a big difference to your waiting time.

Find out more via the interactive Social Housing Expected Wait times Tool.

Find out more about Allocation Zones.

Most social housing residents are eligible for a rent subsidy which generally means:

• Rent is calculated at around 25-30% of gross household income, plus;
• 100% of any Commonwealth Rent Assistance received.

More information about rental subsidies can be found here: Understanding rent, subsidies, and reviews | NSW Government

If you’re application is not approved, you still have options:

1. Ask for a review

You have the right to request a review if you believe the decision was incorrect or something important was missed. This is called an ‘’appeal’’.

• You must submit the request within 3 months of being notified.
• A different team will review the decision.
• We can help you understand why your application was denied and support you through the review process.

2. Check other housing options

If you’re not eligible for social housing, we may be able to help in other ways. This might include:

• Affordable housing – for people earning a bit more than social housing limits.
• Private rental assistance – temporary support to help you stay housed.
• Referrals to support services – for help with income, documents, or finding other housing. (BondLoan, RentStart Assistance, AskIzzy)

Just reach out, we’re here to talk through your options and connect you to help.

3. Re-apply if things change

If your circumstances change (e.g., income, health, family situation), you can re-apply at any time.

NRH works with tenants to help sustain tenancies, connect them to support services and feel at home in their community. If you need help managing your tenancy or accessing support, we’re here to help.

Support for Tenants