‘It’s soul-destroying’: how people on a housing wait list of 175,000 describe their years of waiting
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Nationally, about 175,000 households are on the social housing waiting list. An individual usually has to be in “greatest need” to get on the list. Even then, being listed does not mean you will be given the keys to a home any time soon.
This is especially so if an applicant is put on the general waiting list and not the priority list. In New South Wales in June 2022, for example, 57,550 were on the waiting list: 51,031 on the general waiting list and 6,519 on the priority list. The NSW government website indicates people on the general waiting list can expect to wait ten years or more in most locations.
Even people on the priority list can wait a long time, especially if they have special requirements, such as housing with no stairs.
For our research, we interviewed people on waiting lists in NSW, Queensland and Tasmania. Thirty interviewees were on the general waiting list and 49 on the priority list. The interviews covered various themes, but all of the interviewees were asked: “What words would you use to describe your wait for social housing?” This article focuses on their responses to this question.
Tania* in Queensland, who had escaped domestic violence, powerfully captured the perception of her life being put on hold:
Zeynep, in her mid-70s, had been on the waiting list in Queensland for 13 years. Her response was particularly expansive:
Kylie’s description was similar. She has a child with a disability and had been on the NSW general waiting list for several years.
In Tasmania, Basma and her three children were living in crowded transitional housing attached to a women’s shelter. She also described the waiting as traumatic.
Many described a sense of hopelessness. Geoff in Sydney has to use a wheelchair and the house he was renting was totally unsuitable. He was despondent about ever getting suitable housing:
After 20 months on the priority list, Lily was blunt about the impact on her sense of self:
This article was first published on The Conversation, and was written by Alan Morris, Professor, Institute for Public Policy and Governance, University of Technology Sydney
This is especially so if an applicant is put on the general waiting list and not the priority list. In New South Wales in June 2022, for example, 57,550 were on the waiting list: 51,031 on the general waiting list and 6,519 on the priority list. The NSW government website indicates people on the general waiting list can expect to wait ten years or more in most locations.
Even people on the priority list can wait a long time, especially if they have special requirements, such as housing with no stairs.
For our research, we interviewed people on waiting lists in NSW, Queensland and Tasmania. Thirty interviewees were on the general waiting list and 49 on the priority list. The interviews covered various themes, but all of the interviewees were asked: “What words would you use to describe your wait for social housing?” This article focuses on their responses to this question.
Chart: The Conversation Source: Housing assistance in Australia/AIHW Get the data Created with Datawrapper
Lives on hold
Most interviewees found the endless waiting extremely challenging. It commonly left them feeling powerless, extremely stressed and unable to plan ahead.Tania* in Queensland, who had escaped domestic violence, powerfully captured the perception of her life being put on hold:
Zeynep, in her mid-70s, had been on the waiting list in Queensland for 13 years. Her response was particularly expansive:
A traumatising wait
Single parents found the waiting particularly hard. Thea was in a shelter in Tasmania with her three children. The uncertainty of waiting had shaken her confidence.Kylie’s description was similar. She has a child with a disability and had been on the NSW general waiting list for several years.
In Tasmania, Basma and her three children were living in crowded transitional housing attached to a women’s shelter. She also described the waiting as traumatic.
Losing self-esteem and hope
Interviewees said the endless waiting affected how they saw themselves. Jacqui was living in her car in regional NSW.Many described a sense of hopelessness. Geoff in Sydney has to use a wheelchair and the house he was renting was totally unsuitable. He was despondent about ever getting suitable housing:
After 20 months on the priority list, Lily was blunt about the impact on her sense of self:
Josie also talked about being made to feel like a second-class citizen:
Clearly, the long wait for social housing is devastating for many people. Day after day of not knowing makes everyday life extremely challenging. The shocking aspect is that the huge shortage of social housing means a substantial proportion of people on the general waiting list could be waiting forever.
This article was first published on The Conversation, and was written by Alan Morris, Professor, Institute for Public Policy and Governance, University of Technology Sydney
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