The number of people living in tents in Wagga continues to grow, while government-owned houses remain vacant. Photo: Supplied.
Wagga residents are demanding answers from the NSW Government over why public housing is sitting empty while homelessness continues to grow across the city.
The crisis was thrust into the national spotlight following the death of a baby born in a tent at Wagga Beach, with community groups estimating more than 250 people in the city are homeless.
“We have houses all around Wagga owned by Homes NSW that are sitting vacant, in places like Ashmont and Kooringal,” Wagga Ratepayers Association president Chris Roche said.
“Some of these houses are in a state of disrepair. Why can’t we get tradesmen in to fix them?
“A coat of paint, reconnecting the power – it can give a house to a family who is living in a tent by the beach.”
Wagga MP Dr Joe McGirr expressed similar sentiments.
“In the current housing situation, it is critical we use as much of our housing stock as we can. Quite rightly, the community expects vacant social housing stock to be occupied where possible. However, this does not apply to those homes currently unoccupied that are either undergoing renovations or waiting to be demolished so new houses can be built,” he said.
Dr McGirr said he would monitor the status of unoccupied homes to ensure any that became habitable were not left vacant.
Region asked Homes NSW how many public housing dwellings in Wagga were unoccupied and why they were not being repaired and used to house people.
“Around 1.87 per cent of social housing properties in the Wagga Wagga LGA are currently vacant and undergoing restoration for reletting, while approximately 2 per cent are awaiting demolition or determination of future use,” a spokesperson said.
Housing Minister Rose Jackson came to Wagga last week to announce 12 factory-built dwellings with Dr Joe McGirr and Mayor Dallas Tout. Photo: Dr Joe McGirr Facebook.
Wagga has almost 1200 social housing dwellings, according to Homes NSW data. Based on the agency’s figures, about 45 to 50 properties are without tenants.
Vacancies in social housing properties can occur due to redevelopment, upgrades, damage, or tenant changeover. Extended vacancies may occur when significant repairs and restorations are required.
Wagga councillor Richard Foley said he wanted a full audit of empty and derelict properties across the city.
“We need the numbers for both private and state-owned houses, to see whether it’s possible to issue clean-up orders and see if they can be used,” he said.
He is unconvinced the NSW Government is moving fast enough.
“Last week, the minister came to re-announce 12 dwellings that were already earmarked to be built. It’s all just window dressing and posturing,” he said.
Nevertheless, Homes NSW claims the housing situation is improving in Wagga.
“As of 31 March, 2026, there were 674 households on the waitlist for social housing in the Wagga Wagga zone, representing a 9.1 per cent decrease from the same time last year. The priority waitlist also fell by 22 per cent in March 2026 compared to March 2025,” a spokesman said.
Mr Foley, a plasterer, said he had no faith in the department.
“They don’t even pay those of us who build public housing,” he said.
Homes NSW chose an already insolvent company, Matrix Group Co, as its main contractor to build four government units at 16 Spring Street in December 2020.
When this company officially went into liquidation in October 2021, local subcontractors (including Mr Foley) were left hundreds of thousands of dollars out of pocket. Homes NSW has refused to pay the tradies directly, even though it now rents the dwellings they built to tenants.
The housing debate comes amid ongoing discussion about the Tolland Renewal Project, which will transform the ageing estate into a mixed community of almost 500 social, affordable and private homes.
Dr McGirr welcomed the project but said the pace remained frustrating.
“After many years of little investment in social housing in Wagga, I welcome the Tolland Renewal Project as a major contributor to Wagga’s housing stocks, with almost 500 new homes to be delivered,” he said.
“While I share the frustrations of the community at delays in the project, I am encouraged to see the next stages of the project continue, with construction of new homes to start early next year.”
Mr Roche argued the government should not have demolished homes before replacement housing was ready.
He believes this has increased pressure on already limited housing stock and indirectly contributed to homelessness.
Homes NSW did not answer a question from Region on whether all residents displaced by the Tolland renewal had been rehoused.
If you know more about this story, contact Oliver on 0498 843 181 or by email: [email protected]
