The NSW Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) is reviewing how social housing is funded and allocated to meet the needs of those in the greatest need.

On Thursday, Anglicare said in its annual Australia Rental Affordability Snapshot that across the state the waiting period to access a Housing NSW property is significant.

Low-income households which cannot afford the cost of rent in their area may spend many years on waiting lists falling deeper into poverty and social exclusion.

In Dubbo the wait time for social housing is 5-10 years for all property types.

​IPART said on Thursday it is staging the forum to seek feedback on proposed changes to improve the delivery of social housing. It will make recommendations to the NSW government in June. 

The forum will be held at the Dubbo RSL Club from 11am to 2.30pm to enable social housing providers, tenants and community members to discuss the draft recommendations released for feedback in April.

IPART chairman Dr Peter Boxall said feedback is being sought on 27 draft recommendations, which include: maintaining the contribution made by social housing tenants at 25% of their income; implementing a sustainable funding model for housing providers; and reforming the allocation system to better match tenants’ needs and, where possible, preferences for housing with the social housing available.

“Our objective is to increase the benefits realised from existing social housing stock and help to ensure new stock that matches future needs and demand can be delivered,” he said.

He said the forum “is an opportunity for IPART to hear first-hand local community views about these draft recommendations before they are finalised”.

Registration will open from 10.30am. People are encouraged to register online in advance at www.ipart.nsw.gov.au.

Anglicare’s snapshot showed that for Dubbo singles and couples on Newstart, Youth Allowance or parenting payments, there are almost no suitable housing options available.

Taken on April 1, it showed not a single rental property was affordable and appropriate for an individual on Youth Allowance or New Start, and there were only two viable properties for a person on the disability support pension.

Anglicare Community Services Manager, Karen Fahy, said some families in the region were paying over 50 per cent of their allowance into housing, causing significant stress.

She wanted to see more done to help those in need.