In NSW, social housing applications are managed through the ‘Housing Pathways’ program. You only need to complete one application to be on the state-wide waiting list.

Housing Pathways offers:

• Coordinated housing assistance information
• A single application process
• Common eligibility criteria
• A standard assessment process

To apply, visit the Housing Pathways website or call 1800 422 322.

Please note that once you are approved for social housing your name will be listed on the NSW Housing register.  An offer of housing will be made when a suitable property becomes available and your turn to be housed is reached.

The NSW Department of Communities and Justice release updated information on the expected social housing wait times for general applications.

This information gives general applicants an idea of how long they might need to wait for a social housing property in specific areas of NSW.

To find out more information on expected waiting times please click here

The time that an applicant waits for social housing depends on:

• the number of suitable vacancies that occur and how many social housing properties are in the allocation zone
• the number of approved applicants looking for the same type of property in their allocation zone
• whether applicants will accept offers of public housing, community housing or Aboriginal housing (for eligible applicants)
• the number of people approved for priority housing who are placed on the list above people who do not have a priority need

An allocation zone is a group of areas or towns where social housing is available. There are 246 allocation zones across NSW.

Some allocation zones are called “high demand” zones because the demand for housing in these zones is greater than the number of properties that become available. If you select a high demand zone, you may be asked to select another zone that has shorter waiting times.

To assist you with choosing your allocation zone you can use the Allocation Zone Locator tool

In NSW social housing properties are managed by:

• Homes NSW
• Aboriginal Housing Office
• Community housing organisations.

Generally, all social housing properties are managed under the provisions of Housing Pathways.

To find a housing office nearest to you please click here

If you are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless, please contact Link2home on 1800 152 152.

Link2home is the statewide homelessness information and referral telephone service.  It is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, every day of the year.

For information, assessment or referral to homeless services and support in NSW, call Link2home.

For further information please click here