Almost 3000 people in the Murrumbidgee District are homeless or at risk of homelessness annually.

A new one strike policy means the tribunal would terminate a tenancy where a serious criminal offence has been committed.

Other minor breaches of tenancy would see a person evicted if they receive three notices within 12 months.

The Tenant Union of NSW senior policy officer Ned Cutcher said the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal could be forced to make unjust decisions to evict people.

"These changes may exacerbate the problem, these people may end up sleeping on couches in the very neighbourhood they have been evicted from,” he said.

"While there are some people who are calculated in criminal conduct, most people I've come across were in a bad situation or made an error in judgement.

"Landlords being able to issue strike notices encourages neighbourhood issues to be dealt with through complaint rather than a more effective means like mediation."

Housing Pathways data shows the average expected waiting times for public housing residents in Wagga were two to five years for one, two and three bedroom houses and more than 10 years for four-bedroom homes. This compares to two to five years wait for a one or two-bedroom house and up to two years for three and four bedroom houses in Albury and two to five years wait for one, two and three-bedroom houses or five to 10 years wait for four-bedrooms in Dubbo.

A FACS spokesman said the government was sending the message criminal behaviour in social housing was unacceptable.

"The vast majority of social housing tenants do the right thing and deserve to live in a safe environment," he said.

"Tenants who are evicted under these reforms will have access to the same types of support services that currently exist. Where appropriate they may be provided with assistance to rent (privately)."