A world-leading housing analytics lab, led by UNSW Sydney researchers, brings together academics, industry, government and not-for-profits in a coordinated effort to tackle Australia's critical housing affordability and supply crisis.
The facility will be launched today at Sydney's Tech Central in Eveleigh. It is equipped with cutting-edge technology, including live dashboards of real-time planning approval data and a generative AI Assistant to help forecast the impact of planning policies.
The Lab centralises housing data from different areas in the sector to find breakthroughs to problems like housing affordability, the shortfall of social homes and the stifled development pipeline. Collaboration is key, and the hub's partners, which include the Commonwealth Bank and Tenants Union of NSW, will also meet at the facility to discuss housing and planning policy issues.
Project lead Professor Chris Pettit, Director of the City Futures Research Centre, said the lab would disseminate real-time evidence to key players to inform future planning and decision-making.
"With the nation facing significant housing challenges, it's vital that researchers, government, and industry work together using the most robust data and analytical tools to inform policy," said Prof. Pettit. "Having the space with the capabilities of the Housing Analytics Lab at our disposal means we can all come together and co-design much-needed solutions backed by data."
NSW Premier Chris Minns and NSW Minister for Housing and Homelessness Rose Jackson will attend the Housing Analytics Lab today and officially open the facility. Premier Minns said establishing this important facility is key to tackling the state's housing crisis.
"This facility brings together the experts and the data, giving us key insights as we address the housing crisis," Premier Minns said. "We need universities that can translate research into real-world solutions — exactly what UNSW is doing here."
A state-of-the-art housing research facility
Through government data-sharing arrangements, Prof. Pettit said the lab would also be able to provide insights into a range of housing problems. These include:
- Housing capacity around train stations
- Requirements for social housing by local government area
- Distribution and turnover of short-term and long-term rental
- Data on housing and apartment development
"We can use real-time housing datasets and the power of machine learning to explore multiple planning scenarios with live feedback," Prof. Pettit said. "This will help provide decision-makers with the ability to assess the impacts of different policy options before implementation."
The Lab is a hub for housing experts to develop and launch products and services addressing housing challenges. Prof. Pettit said the hub will also seek the input of community members to tailor housing solutions.
Vice-Chancellor and President of UNSW Sydney, Professor Attila Brungs, said the Housing Analytics Lab demonstrates how the University's world-leading researchers are fostering collaboration to positively impact society.
"The housing crisis is a complex policy challenge that can only be addressed through genuine collaboration across sectors," Prof. Brungs said. "By bringing together the deep expertise of UNSW researchers, the decision-making ability of government, the resources and reach of industry and the vital contributions of not-for-profits, the Housing Analytics Lab launched today will help deliver solutions that benefit all Australians."
Dr Michael Baumann, CommBank Executive General Manager Home Buying, said helping Australians achieve home ownership ambitions is a top priority.
"Through supporting initiatives like the UNSW Housing Analytics Lab, we are helping to foster cross-industry collaboration to address housing supply and affordability challenges in Australia."
