Low cost housing options

Learn about housing options for people who may find rental property prices challenging for their budget.

On this page

Don't delay

There can be long waiting lists for social and affordable housing, so it's important to apply as early as possible.

Social housing

Social housing is secure and affordable rental housing for people on low incomes with housing needs. It includes:

public housing, managed by the Department of Communities & Justice
community housing, managed by non-government social housing providers
housing for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

A participating social housing provider will assess the eligibility and priority of applications. This assessment only needs to be done once, and will be accepted by any participating social housing provider.

There are currently long waiting periods for social housing in NSW. To talk about emergency housing options, contact Link2Home on 1800 152 152.

Apply online for social housing at Communities & Justice.

Affordable housing

Affordable housing is open to people on a wider range of incomes than social housing.

In most situations, affordable housing is managed by charities, not-for-profits, or community organisations.

You might need to move into affordable housing because of a change in your life, such as losing a job, or if your income isn't high enough to pay rent in the area where you live or work.

What you pay in rent can vary, but it's generally priced so you can meet other living costs.

Find out how to look and apply for affordable housing at Communities & Justice.

Housing for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people

The Aboriginal Housing Office ensures Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have access to affordable, quality housing.

It is based in NSW, and provides a wide range of services including:

support for housing and crisis accommodation
ensuring that housing is appropriate to the social and cultural requirements, living patterns, and preferences of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Apply online for housing at the Aboriginal Housing Office.

The Department of Communities & Justice also provides low cost and culturally-appropriate housing for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people living in NSW.

Learn more and apply for Aboriginal housing at Communities & Justice.