MEDIA RELEASE: THURSDAY 23 APRIL 2025 EVERYBODY DESERVES A ROOF OVER THEIR HEAD
Kate Hook to Demand 4000 Affordable Homes for Calare as New Data Reveals Local Housing Shortfall Independent candidate for Calare, Kate Hook, says she will demand the construction of over 4000 affordable and social homes across the electorate by 2028 when elected. Her commitment follows a new analysis by housing advocacy group Everybody’s Home, which reveals a current shortfall of 3,900 affordable homes across Bathurst, Orange, Lithgow and the broader Calare region.
“The housing crisis is breaking people in my community and the political parties have failed to take action,” Ms Hook said. “How can we have been represented by party politicians while the needs of our communities have been ignored? Simple, the parties do not care about the people, they only care about themselves and their political donors. Enough is enough.
”When elected Ms Hook will leverage her independence to get the things the communities of Calare need. Housing is one of many items on the list. “I will make building over 4,000 affordable homes right here in Calare a key demand in a minority parliament, where independents will likely have huge influence.
With a waiting time of no less than 10 years, 4,200 homes need to be built by 2028 to meet the expected national growth rates of demand for social housing of 2.35% annually. With the current numbers and predictions by the time one household moves to the top of the waiting list there will be an additional 1,020 behind them. Ms Hook insists both immediate and long-term action is required.
“The time for band-aid solutions is over. The parties are good at handing them out but ignoring the real problems letting them fester. Only a real independent with real solutions will fix this crisis. And I’m up for the job.”
With the electorate of Calare slightly bigger than Belgium, and the needs of communities as diverse as the landscapes they live in, a blanket solution approach will not work.
“Once elected, I will demand funding be provided to explore long term solutions that not only address the need for more housing but also how the annual growth rate for social housing can be slowed. I will make sure that the communities of Calare are at the centre of that conversation encouraging input and community-led solutions.”
Ms Hook said the proposal is backed by independent expert advice and is a direct response to the cost-of-living pressures facing families and individuals across regional NSW.
“We need real investment in homes people can afford. The experts say we need it. Local people are crying out for it. I’ll get it done.”
In addition to the call for the affordable homes, Ms Hook is also backing a three-point
plan to ease housing pressure:
• Stronger protections for renters, including guardrails on unlimited rent increases;
• Low-interest home loans for first home buyers to help renters break into the market;
• Direct investment in affordable housing, particularly in high-need areas across the Central West.
“This is a real solution from a real independent—because the politicians in power have failed our community.”
A letter to the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition has been sent from Kate Hook about this crisis.