‘Everyone has access to a decent home and support if they need it’. This is the vision statement Homes NSW is proposing to headline its 10-year plan. What do you think of it? 

This is just one of several questions we recently answered in a formal submission to Homes NSW as it finalises its strategic plan for improving outcomes for people in need of housing and homelessness assistance in NSW.  

Since its formation in February 2024, Homes NSW has gathered feedback, analysed its own data, sought out expert opinion and consulted peak bodies including Shelter NSW. Late last year it released a discussion paper which outlines the issues and challenges impacting the non-market housing and homelessness system. And while the discussion paper isn’t the plan itself (we are yet to see that) it will directly inform the final set of priorities and specific reform agenda set out in the 10-year Homes for NSW Plan. 

Our submission generally endorsed the direction and specifically the intent to transparently set and track targets, but we did make suggestions as to how the future plan could be bolstered. These include ensuring that the plan explicitly sets out the various minimum standards that Homes NSW and its providers must (or should) comply with. These range from physical buildings standards to ensure more and better homes through to customer service standards.  

And yes, while we like the vision statement, we reckon it could aim higher. At Shelter NSW, we believe that the NSW Government can and should be the best landlord in NSW, setting standards and vision for the rest of the housing system to aim for.