At the 2024 Vinnies CEO Sleepout, Rose Jackson MP, NSW Housing Minister, credited grassroots advocacy by organisations such as the Society for pressing the government to invest in housing. The NSW Government made a record investment in social housing of $6.1 billion over four years in the 2024-25 state budget.  

Of this funding, $5.1 billion will be allocated to build or redevelop 8,400 social homes over four years. A further $1 billion will repair and maintain 33,000 existing social homes. The Society NSW had called for a multi-billion investment in social homes in our 2024-25 Pre-Budget Submission and we welcomed the NSW Government's commitment as a positive step to addressing the housing crisis. 

For years, the Society's members, volunteers and employees have engaged in sustained advocacy calling for more social homes. Through our Build Homes, Build Hope campaign, members collected over 15,000 petition signatures that were tabled in NSW Parliament and had well over 200 engagements with MPs. This evolved into our Housing Justice 2023 NSW election campaign and informed successive pre-budget submissions. 

A huge thank you and congratulations to all of the members, volunteers and employees who have been part of this journey over many years. The social housing investment is a very positive outcome for people in housing need. While it will not accommodate everyone in need of a home, it is an excellent first step and is a testament to how working together, we can move mountains.

Image: Brooke Simmon, NSW State Council Social Justice Vice-President presents members’ petitions to the NSW Parliament.