The Property Council has welcomed the NSW government’s new Homes for NSW Strategy, calling it a “practical step forward” that gives the housing industry confidence to work with government and community housing providers to deliver more homes across the state.
The Homes for NSW Strategy 2025-2035 is a 10-year plan to transform the state’s social housing and homelessness system – putting people first, delivering quality homes, and ensuring every person in NSW has access to a decent home and the support they need.
Property Council NSW executive director Anita Hugo (pictured) said the industry stands ready to help bring the plan to life.
“This strategy has people at its heart, and it sets out a clear framework that can bring government, community housing providers (CHPs) and the private sector together to get homes built faster and help more people into safe, secure, affordable accommodation,” Hugo said.
Hugo said the strategy delivers a holistic approach to housing policy and sets out clear, measurable goals for reform.
“Industry supports the ambition and the practical reforms, especially moving to more person-centred services, and clear targets to measure progress,” she said.
“The strategy reflects the need to take a holistic approach to developing housing policy and to deliver a diverse range of housing types to meet the unique needs of individuals in the non-market housing system.”
The strategy focuses on four priorities: customer-driven services, more and better homes, improved maintenance, and a sustainable system that works. These changes aim to improve outcomes for tenants, applicants and people experiencing homelessness.
The strategy is supported by the government’s $6.6 billion Building Homes for NSW program, which includes 8,400 new and replacement social homes, 1,200 affordable homes by 2031, and upgrades to 33,500 public and Aboriginal homes by 2028 – areas where industry collaboration will be vital.
Hugo said the Property Council strongly supports the plan’s focus on collaboration and better use of public and private capital to increase housing supply.
“The private sector has both the capacity and the willingness to be part of the solution, and industry is ready to bring capital, delivery capability and design excellence to the table,” she said.
“The next step is a transparent pipeline and procurement settings that can help to unlock private investment, in close partnership with CHPs, Aboriginal Community Housing Providers (ACHPs), communities and local councils.”
The Property Council’s submission to the Homes for NSW consultation called for stronger connections between the new housing agency and the private market, simplified access points for social and affordable housing, and opportunities for meanwhile use and adaptive reuse projects.
“Everyone deserves a safe and secure place to call home,” Hugo said. “With clear leadership, a shared measurement framework and a genuine partnership with industry, this strategy can turn plans into homes for more people.”
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