Statistics released by Family and Community Services (FACS) show expected waiting times of between five and 10 years for those properties, while the waiting time for one and two-bedroom properties in Dubbo was between two and five years.

The figures showed as at June 30, 2015, there were 954 social housing properties in Dubbo. In the preceding year, 127 applicants had been housed in Dubbo and 522 were on the housing register.

In Peak Hill, there were waiting times of between five and ten years for one, two and three-bedroom properties, while the waiting time for a four-bedroom property was ten or more years.

Numerous smaller areas in western NSW had no social housing properties available at all, including Geurie, Goodooga, Lightning Ridge, Mendooran, Nymagee, Tottenham and Tullamore.

Among the shortest waiting times (up to two years) were for one-bedroom properties in Narromine, Nyngan and Trangie, two-bedroom properties in Baradine and Trangie, three-bedroom properties in Bourke, Brewarrina, Cobar, Coonamble, Nyngan, Collarenebri and Gulargambone and four-bedroom properties in Bourke, Cobar, Coonabarabran, Gilgandra and Trangie.

How long an applicant waited for social housing depended on several things, according to FACS, including how many suitable vacancies occurred, the number of approved applicants looking for the same type of property and how many social housing properties were in the allocation zone.

It also depended on whether applicants accepted offers of public, community or Aboriginal housing and the number of people who were placed on the list above others who did not have a “priority need”.

Tenants could be classified as priority applicants because they had “complex housing needs” and could demonstrate they were in urgent need of housing and unable to rent privately.

NSW Council of Social Service (NCOSS) deputy CEO John Mikelsons said new thinking was needed to reduce the “crisis” numbers of people waiting to access social housing.

“A stable roof over your head is a basic need,” he said.

“We know without one, people find it almost impossible to get and keep a job, to send their kids to school or access services like healthcare.”

Mr Mikelsons said the waiting list showed why it was important the agreement between NCOSS, Infrastructure Partnerships Australia and the NSW Government to develop a Social and Affordable Housing fund was progressed rapidly.

“We know that community housing providers and other key stakeholders stand ready to offer the innovative solutions the state needs to tackle the state’s chronic housing crisis.

“The fund, once delivered, will be a game changer for households and families currently waiting up to ten years for a stable roof over their heads. 

“Secure, affordable housing that is connected to transport and jobs, to education and support services is a crucial piece of the puzzle for reducing poverty and disadvantage in this state.”