The Minns Labor Government has released a 10-year plan to reform and rebuild the public, community and affordable housing system by delivering more homes, improving quality and maintenance, and creating a fairer system for tenants.
The Homes for NSW Strategy tackles long-standing issues like long waitlists, poor maintenance and insecure housing that have left too many people without support.
Developed in partnership with tenants, advocates, community housing providers, homelessness services, unions and frontline workers, the plan is shaped by the people who live and work in the system every day.
This Strategy complements the work already underway by the Minns Labor Government through the Building Homes for NSW program, which is:
- Delivering 8,400 new public homes, with at least half for women and children escaping domestic and family violence.
- Upgrading 30,000 existing homes to make them safer, modern and more energy efficient.
- Providing record funding for homelessness services.
- Bringing housing maintenance back in-house, restoring control and accountability.
These reforms are part of the Minns Labor Government's commitment to build a better, fairer NSW that supports tenants instead of making their lives harder.
At the heart of this plan are the voices and experiences of people who have endured years of neglect under the former government.
In direct contrast, the Minns Government completed 1,700 new homes in the first year of the Building Homes for NSW program, the biggest increase in the state's recent history.
For more information, visit: www.nsw.gov.au/homes-for-nsw-strategy
Minister for Housing and Homelessness Rose Jackson said:
"For too long NSW has been let down by a system that is outdated and unfair. People were left waiting, living in homes that were falling apart, treated as numbers instead of neighbours. That era is now over.
"The Homes for NSW Strategy is a once-in-a-generation plan to deliver more homes, improve maintenance, and create a fairer system for tenants across the state. It's built on the voices of those who know the system best, our tenants, frontline workers and community partners.
"This plan is about fairness. No more long waits, no more insecure tenancies, and no more leaving people to navigate a system that doesn't meet their needs. Tenants deserve homes that support their lives, not make them harder."
CEO of Shelter NSW, John Engeler said:
"Even by conservative estimates, 1 in every 100 people in all of Australia are currently provided secure, safe and affordable housing through Homes NSW. That figure is over to 1 in 30 in NSW.
"So, the call is significant - how to move from being, not just the biggest landlord, but to being the best one, as Minister Jackson has pledged. This Strategy answers the call. It provides the clear way forward to achieve that consistently and continuously over the next decade.
"In terms of advocacy we have been encouraged to see a clear cultural shift since the formation of Homes NSW, culminating in the three priority areas that underpin the strategy of: Customer Driven Service, More & Better Homes and a System That Works, all with measurable targets and accountable actions. Agree, great signposts on the journey ahead!
"On behalf of the broader housing advocacy sector - Shelter NSW acknowledges this significant, pivotal day - The launch of the much anticipated, well thought and especially timely Housing NSW 2025 - 2035 Strategy. An historic day indeed."
Tenants' Union of NSW Chief Executive Officer, Leo Patterson Ross:
"Tenants know best their homes, their communities, their strengths and their challenges. Listening to and acting on their experience and expertise needs to be the foundation for transforming the public housing system in NSW."
