Community housing tenants face eviction applications at almost three times the public rate

Community housing tenants in NSW were almost three times as likely as public housing tenants to face an eviction application last year, according to new data obtained by ABC News.

The figures raise questions about how rent arrears are managed as governments increasingly rely on not-for-profit providers to expand Australia’s social housing system.

Social housing includes both public housing, which is owned and managed by government, and community housing, which is generally managed by registered not-for-profit organisations. Tenants in both systems usually pay subsidised rent, but the organisations operate under different financial arrangements.

A wide gap in tribunal applications

The ABC reported that community housing providers recorded 7.94 eviction applications per 100 dwellings in 2025. The comparable rate for public housing was 3.71 applications per 100 dwellings.

Community and public providers lodged 6,327 and 5,547 NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal applications respectively, with more than six in 10 connected to eviction proceedings.

The comparison is particularly significant because public housing managed by Homes NSW covers a much larger portfolio. Tier 1 community housing providers manage almost 40,000 NSW dwellings, while Homes NSW manages close to 100,000 public homes.

An application does not necessarily end with a tenant losing their home. Providers can use the tribunal process to obtain rent repayment arrangements or resolve other tenancy breaches, and some matters are withdrawn or settled.

Actual eviction rates were substantially lower than application rates. The Registrar of Community Housing reported an eviction rate of 0.59 per cent for community housing in the last financial year, compared with 0.33 per cent in public housing.

Nevertheless, receiving a tribunal application can create considerable uncertainty for a household already facing financial stress.

Rent arrears drive most cases

Rental arrears were the most common reason for eviction applications across social housing.

Australian Community Housing chief executive Mark Degotardi told the ABC that community providers cannot draw on a state budget to absorb continuing unpaid rent. Providers must also comply with rules for managing arrears and maintaining financial viability.

The Tenants’ Union of NSW argued that large community providers can have less flexibility because they use private finance to build and acquire housing. Higher debt and stricter rent-collection requirements can make it harder to negotiate informally with a tenant who falls behind.

This distinction matters because a tribunal application may be used to secure a repayment agreement even when the provider does not intend to remove the tenant. From the renter’s perspective, however, negotiations conducted under the threat of losing a home can feel far from voluntary.

The data does not show whether every application was reasonable or avoidable. It does show that two groups of social housing tenants can face substantially different pathways after falling into arrears.

Why the issue extends beyond NSW

Community housing is expected to deliver and manage a growing share of new social and affordable homes. Governments commonly partner with registered providers because they can combine public funding, Commonwealth Rent Assistance and private finance.

That model can increase the number of homes delivered, but it also makes transparent tenancy outcomes more important. If providers are expected to house people with low incomes and complex needs, their funding and regulation must allow early intervention before arrears develop into tribunal proceedings.

The ABC report included calls for consistent public reporting across public housing, community housing and private rentals. Comparable data could show how frequently applications result in repayment plans, withdrawn cases, termination orders and actual evictions.

For tenants, the immediate lesson is to seek help as soon as rent becomes difficult to pay. Waiting until a tribunal notice arrives can narrow the available options, while early contact may make it easier to agree on a manageable plan.

What it means for you

• A tribunal application is serious, but it does not automatically mean an eviction will occur.
• Social housing tenants who fall behind should contact their provider and a tenancy advice service promptly.
• Keep records of rent payments, notices, conversations and proposed repayment arrangements.
• The figures strengthen the case for clearer reporting and consistent arrears practices across social housing providers.