The Minns Labor Government has delivered 3,500 new public, community and affordable homes marking a significant milestone that is helping people right across NSW, including victim-survivors of domestic violence, find safety and rebuild their lives.
In the 2024-25 financial year, 1711 new social and affordable were built or brought back into use under the historic $6.6 billion Building Homes for New South Wales program.
Housing affordability and availability is the biggest single pressure facing the people of New South Wales, and for many, building our social and affordable housing stock can mean the difference between sleeping on the street or not being able to leave an unsafe household.
Women over 55 and people aged 55-64 are now the fastest-growing group experiencing homelessness in NSW and across Australia, driven by rental stress, limited superannuation and relationship breakdowns, underscoring the urgency of this investment.
We have already built hundreds of homes this year with months still remaining and are on track to deliver the largest expansion of public housing in modern NSW history.
This milestone represents a clear turnaround after a decade where more public housing was sold than built. For the first time in years, public housing in NSW is growing again.
This follows twelve years of privatisation, sell offs and neglect under the former Liberal National Government, which oversaw a net reduction in the state's public housing from 110,805 homes in 2014 to 95,765 in 2023.
Between 2017 and 2021, just 2,257 social homes were built, far fewer than the 3,269 homes that were sold or removed over the same period.
The Minns Labor Government is building new homes at scale and restoring public housing as a core part of the housing system.
The $6.6 billion Building Homes for NSW Program is driving this shift, with thousands of new public homes being built and tens of thousands more upgraded.
The project on Cowper Street, Glebe is a clear example, replacing 19 ageing dwellings with 75 new, modern public homes in the heart of the city.
Located within walking distance of bus services and the Wentworth Park light rail, the development keeps residents connected to jobs, services and community.
Just around the corner, Bays West will deliver up to 8,500 new homes, including public and affordable housing, building on the work already underway here in Glebe.
The Minns Labor Government is delivering a comprehensive plan to build more homes across NSW and tackle the housing crisis.
This includes:
- The $6.6 billion Building Homes for NSW Program, the largest investment in public and social housing in a generation
- 8,400 new public homes being built across the state
- 21,000 affordable and market homes to increase supply
- Upgrades to 30,000 existing social housing properties
- The largest planning reforms in a generation to unlock more homes
- Establishing the Housing Development Authority to accelerate delivery
- Building more homes in well-located areas close to transport, jobs and services.
Together, these actions are driving more homes across the system, including public housing, and restoring the role of government in building homes at scale.
This is all part of the Minns Government's plan to build a better NSW with more homes and services, so people have somewhere to live and in the communities they choose.
Quotes attributable to NSW Premier Chris Minns:
"This is an important milestone. Not only do we have 75 new public homes right in the centre of Glebe, but since coming to office, we've delivered 3,500 new public, community and affordable homes across New South Wales.
"This means for the first time in years, public housing in NSW is growing again, not shrinking. Giving thousands of people, including victims of domestic and family violence, a safe and secure place to call home.
"In the last financial year alone, more than 1,700 social and affordable homes have been built or restored through our $6.6 billion Building Homes for NSW program. This is what rebuilding public housing looks like."
Quotes attributable to Minister for Housing and Homelessness Rose Jackson:
"Last year we said it was the biggest year for public and affordable housing in our state's modern history. This year isn't even over and we've already built more."
"For too long, governments walked away from fixing the housing crisis. We're tackling it head on, brick by brick, house by house, street by street."
"For too many people, the Australian dream has slipped out of reach. I want our city to dream again, a future where people can afford a home and live in the communities they love."
"This is about building more public housing in the right places, close to jobs, transport and services, so people aren't locked out of their own city."
"This is about dignity. Making sure everyone has a safe, secure place to call home."
Quotes attributable to CEO of Bridge Housing Laurie Leigh:
"We applaud the NSW Government's and the Kings Trust's commitment to delivering additional quality social housing. They are ensuring that residents have the certainty of a stable, affordable home and the right foundation to plan their futures.
"This project stands proud in the community through thoughtful design, sustainable building practices, and exceptional craftsmanship of the building façade. Today is a win for changing lives and strengthening communities."
