Over 1000 applicants for social housing from Kiama to Ulladulla can expect to wait more than five years for a home.
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According to the Department of Family and Community Services website, there are 1128 social housing applicants in the area, and 88 of those are priority applicants.
Some applicants will have to wait more than 10 years for a home, including applicants for three-bedroom homes in Nowra, two-bedroom homes in Kiama, three-bedroom homes in Berry and all applicants in Huskisson.
Priority applicants have been interviewed by a FACS worker and found to be in need of urgent housing and unable to rent privately - they must demonstrate they have tried and failed to find accommodation in the private rental market.
They may receive housing faster than estimated wait times.
The only type of housing in the region with a wait of less than five years are two-bedroom properties in Berry, which have a wait time of two-to-five years.
However, that doesn't help any of the approximately 1020 applicants outside Berry, who are unable to change their housing application zone unless they can demonstrate a change of circumstances.
If they do so, they may be bumped to the bottom of the list.
The FACS website says this information was published on June 30 of this year.
The South Coast Register asked the department if it had any strategies to tackle the availability and demand for social housing in the region.
The department declined to comment on the South Coast region, but said: "The NSW Government has the biggest social and affordable housing building program in the country."
The department said there were a range of services available to help people access the private renatal market, and encouraged anyone at risk of homelessness to apply for temporary accommodation by contacting Link2Home on 1800 152 152.
