As housing and homelessness policy specialists, we regularly hear and engage with a range of innovative and complex policy ideas and solutions when it comes to creating a better housing system. Build to rent, secondary dwellings, innovative financing to increase supply and facilitate access to ownership, there is no lack of new ideas with potential to improve the situation in NSW.

But where there are opportunities for cost effective, time proven solutions such as public housing on public land, why not take them? Shelter NSW is concerned and disappointed to see NSW Government walking back on its broad commitment to provide 30% social and affordable housing on rezoned and/or redeveloped government land. State-led rezoning of the Broadmeadows precinct is set to deliver 3,200 new homes, but only 5-10% will be set aside as affordable housing – noting that ‘affordable’ housing delivers different community outcomes to public or social housing, with rents still often out of reach for people living on lower incomes.

In 2024, we had already written to NSW Government to ask that this election promise be made good.

NSW is in dire need of more social housing. If NSW Government cannot deliver more ambitious targets on its own land, where and when will it do so? Shelter NSW joined the Hunter Community Alliance last Friday, along with local community members, social housing tenants, people with lived experience of homelessness, and local community organisations including the SDA union. Together we shared stories of how lack of social housing affects our lives and communities and demanded that NSW Government delivers its commitment of 30% social and affordable housing on government land.

Shelter NSW will continue to work with the Hunter Community Alliance to ensure that more social housing is delivered in Newcastle, the Hunter, and across the State.