Maitland is a big winner in the plan as completion of 65 new social and affordable homes nears in Thornton.

People in need of safe and secure housing can expect to receive the keys to their new homes soon following an announcement from Families, Communities and Disability Services Minister Gareth Ward on Wednesday.

Mr Ward, who visited the Thornton site this week, said the new homes would reduce Hunter housing stress and help some of the community's most vulnerable access housing close to work and training opportunities.

"The NSW Government is committed to providing secure housing and support services for people who need it most," Mr Ward said.

"These new units are modern, well designed, and are close to local shops and services.

"NSW has the largest building program of social housing in the nation, keeping hundreds of tradies and construction workers in jobs during the pandemic.

"The new homes are part of our Social and Affordable Housing Fund (SAHF) program, being delivered in partnership with non-government community housing providers."

Compass Housing is delivering the 493 new homes under the SAHF. The Thornton development is their largest project and includes a mixture of duplex and triplex dwellings containing 49 two-bedroom, 11 one-bedroom and five three-bedroom homes to accommodate people's different housing needs.

Compass Housing Chief Corporate Services Officer Lyndall Robertshaw said Compass would manage the tenancies and provide support services for residents once the finishing touches are completed.

"The SAHF program is about more than just building houses - it is about creating empowered tenants and sustainable communities," Ms Robertshaw said.

"Compass has partnered with Hunter-based Mavid Group to build the homes, supporting local businesses and local jobs."

The Family and Community Services website states that the expected waiting time for one and two bedroom properties is five to 10 years, for a three bedroom property 10 plus years and for a four bedroom property five to 10 years.

Applications on the NSW Housing Register at June 30, 2019 for general accommodation tallied 46,530. A total of 4484 were listed as priority. The register is a single list of approved clients waiting for social housing. It lists clients in order according to their required housing location, approval category and approval date.