BlueCHP Supports Call to Scale Social and Affordable Housing in NSW
27 Jan 2026
BlueCHP welcomes the recent opinion piece by Luke Achterstraat, CEO of Community Housing Industry Association NSW (CHIA NSW), published in The Daily Telegraph this week, which highlights the urgent need to scale investment in social and affordable housing across New South Wales.
Importantly, the article underscores a reality felt across the community housing sector: while social and affordable housing delivers strong social and economic returns, demand continues to significantly outpace supply.
The Challenge Facing NSW
In his commentary, Mr Achterstraat highlights the growing mismatch between housing need and housing delivery. He notes that more than 68,000 households are currently on the NSW social housing waitlist. As a result, many people wait years —and, in some cases, more than a decade— for a safe and affordable home.
Additionally, the article highlights that, despite commitments under the National Housing Accord and recent funding initiatives, housing approvals and completions are not yet occurring at the scale required to meet current and future demand.
Why Community Housing Matters
Community housing operates on a not-for-profit model and reinvests revenue into new homes, local employment, and stronger communities. It is a proven approach that delivers long-term outcomes for residents, while supporting economic participation and social inclusion.
However, these benefits can only be fully realised if investment in social and affordable housing continues to expand and remains sustained over time.
BlueCHP’s Perspective
As a Community Housing Provider, BlueCHP sees firsthand the life-changing impact that stable, affordable housing has on individuals, families, and communities. At the same time, we see growing pressure on the system as rising costs push more people out of the private rental market or into housing insecurity.
For this reason, BlueCHP supports CHIA NSW’s call for greater investment in social and affordable housing, to be delivered in partnership with experienced community housing providers. Without action at scale, waitlists will continue to increase, and too many people will remain without access to safe, secure housing.
The housing crisis is urgent; however, it is not unsolvable. With the right policy settings, sustained funding, and strong collaboration between government and the community housing sector, more homes can be delivered where they are needed most.
“We thank the NSW Government for its historical investment in the sector, but we echo CHIA NSW that the government needs to step up to the plate and set concrete targets to meet the ever-expanding need for housing.”
-Charles Northcote, BlueCHP CEO
Affordable, social, and disability housing complex in Liverpool, NSW.
Looking Ahead
Ultimately, addressing the housing crisis requires long-term commitment and practical solutions that deliver real outcomes on the ground. Community housing providers are ready to play a central role in this effort, bringing expertise, local knowledge, and a strong track record of delivery.
Moving forward, BlueCHP remains committed to working with government, sector partners, and communities so that more people across NSW can live with the security, dignity and stability that secure housing provides.
This article includes commentary on an external opinion piece. Views expressed in the original publication are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of BlueCHP Limited.
Source: Luke Achterstraat, “Don’t Ignore this Lifeline in Solving the Housing Crisis” – The Daily Telegraph, January 2026.
BlueCHP Supports Call to Scale Social and Affordable Housing in NSW
27 Jan 2026
BlueCHP welcomes the recent opinion piece by Luke Achterstraat, CEO of Community Housing Industry Association NSW (CHIA NSW), published in The Daily Telegraph this week, which highlights the urgent need to scale investment in social and affordable housing across New South Wales.
Importantly, the article underscores a reality felt across the community housing sector: while social and affordable housing delivers strong social and economic returns, demand continues to significantly outpace supply.
The Challenge Facing NSW
In his commentary, Mr Achterstraat highlights the growing mismatch between housing need and housing delivery. He notes that more than 68,000 households are currently on the NSW social housing waitlist. As a result, many people wait years —and, in some cases, more than a decade— for a safe and affordable home.
Additionally, the article highlights that, despite commitments under the National Housing Accord and recent funding initiatives, housing approvals and completions are not yet occurring at the scale required to meet current and future demand.
Why Community Housing Matters
Community housing operates on a not-for-profit model and reinvests revenue into new homes, local employment, and stronger communities. It is a proven approach that delivers long-term outcomes for residents, while supporting economic participation and social inclusion.
However, these benefits can only be fully realised if investment in social and affordable housing continues to expand and remains sustained over time.
BlueCHP’s Perspective
As a Community Housing Provider, BlueCHP sees firsthand the life-changing impact that stable, affordable housing has on individuals, families, and communities. At the same time, we see growing pressure on the system as rising costs push more people out of the private rental market or into housing insecurity.
For this reason, BlueCHP supports CHIA NSW’s call for greater investment in social and affordable housing, to be delivered in partnership with experienced community housing providers. Without action at scale, waitlists will continue to increase, and too many people will remain without access to safe, secure housing.
The housing crisis is urgent; however, it is not unsolvable. With the right policy settings, sustained funding, and strong collaboration between government and the community housing sector, more homes can be delivered where they are needed most.
“We thank the NSW Government for its historical investment in the sector, but we echo CHIA NSW that the government needs to step up to the plate and set concrete targets to meet the ever-expanding need for housing.”
-Charles Northcote, BlueCHP CEO
Looking Ahead
Ultimately, addressing the housing crisis requires long-term commitment and practical solutions that deliver real outcomes on the ground. Community housing providers are ready to play a central role in this effort, bringing expertise, local knowledge, and a strong track record of delivery.
Moving forward, BlueCHP remains committed to working with government, sector partners, and communities so that more people across NSW can live with the security, dignity and stability that secure housing provides.
This article includes commentary on an external opinion piece. Views expressed in the original publication are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of BlueCHP Limited.
Source:
Luke Achterstraat, “Don’t Ignore this Lifeline in Solving the Housing Crisis” – The Daily Telegraph, January 2026.
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