Housing and homelessness

The Salvation Army provided a submission to the Select Committee on Essential Worker Housing in NSW.

In this submission we outline the challenges that essential workers face in obtaining affordable accommodation in NSW. We recognise that the first step in addressing essential worker housing needs, is to address the broader community’s housing needs. This requires reform across the entire housing system continuum.

As a leading service provider across Australia including housing and homelessness, family and domestic violence, alcohol and other drug, and youth services, we employ thousands of employees and volunteers who are dedicated to serving the community. We therefore understand the critical need for essential worker housing we are deeply committed to this issue.

The submission covers:

• The necessity to ensure a broad definition of essential worker housing, which caters for the wholistic needs of essential workers,
• The need to increase the overall housing supply across Australia as a necessary response to Australia’s ongoing housing crisis, which is being felt by most Australians, and
• The benefit of increasing access to appropriate, affordable housing for essential workers on vital frontline services and the greater community.

The Committee will table a report by 7 March 2025.