We want to hear your story of waiting for social housing
Are you on the waiting list for social housing in NSW, Queensland or Tasmania? If so, we’d like to learn more about what life is like as you wait for a social housing property to become available.
By sharing your story, you will help us provide recommendations to governments and other organisations to improve the social housing system and better support people as they wait.
Who are we?
We are a team of researchers at the University of Technology Sydney, the University of Queensland, the University of New South Wales and Anglicare Tasmania. Our research is jointly funded by the Australian Research Council and various community partners.
What is this research about?
We want to learn more about the people who are waiting for social housing; what it’s like to wait; and how waiting impacts upon your life. We are also interested in why and how people apply for social housing and how they manage the application process.
Who do we want to talk to
We’d like to talk to two groups of people:
- Those who are listed on the waiting list as being ‘high priority’ or having very high needs
- Those who are not classified as high needs/priority and who have been waiting for more than two years
Since the waiting times for social housing vary in different parts of the country, we are particularly interested in hearing from people in city and regional areas, specifically:
- Sydney or Orange in NSW
- Brisbane or Cairns in Queensland
- Hobart and Burnie in Tasmania
If I agreed to get involved and I am selected, what would it involve?
As a start, a member of the research team will interview you about your experience. The interview will take about an hour and be held at a place of your choice. With your permission, we’d like to interview you again about a year later to see if things have changed for you. In between – if you agree – we’d like to call you every 4-6 months to check in and see how you are doing.
For each face to face interview that takes place, you will be remunerated to thank you for your time and contribution.
Are there any risks?
We may talk about hardships you have been through while applying and waiting for social housing. Some questions or topics may make you feel uncomfortable but we can change the topic, have a break, or stop the interview. How much you share with us is completely your choice. You do not have to give a reason to stop the interview or change your mind about being involved in the research.
Will I be named?
No, your name will not be used unless you specifically ask to be named. Alternatively we can give you a pseudonym, which you can choose if you wish to. Whatever you tell us will be confidential.
Yes, I’m interested
Please fill in your details below. This information will not be used for anything else except contacting you for an interview.
Please note that by giving us your contact details you are telling us you are interested in being interviewed or would like more information first. We may not be able to interview everyone but we will be in touch to confirm.
Participation form
If you have any questions about the project please email Professor Alan Morris at UTS who is the lead investigator. His email is alan.morris@uts.edu.au
Waithood: The experience of waiting for social housing 