More affordable housing on its way for key workers

The Minns Labor Government is boosting the supply of affordable homes for our teachers, health workers and other key workers with the approval of another Infill Affordable Housing proposal.

Established almost a year ago to the day, the Infill Affordable Housing scheme offers additional height and floor space to developers, if at least 10 per cent of a proposed housing development is retained as affordable housing for at least 15 years, as well as offering a streamlined State Significant Development (SSD) assessment pathway.

The project has been approved under the SSD pathway and will deliver an additional 75 private dwellings and 75 affordable dwellings in Burwood town centre. The application was assessed in less than 70 days in Government hands.

Once construction is complete, the affordable housing will be managed by a registered Community Housing Provider and will be available to people on a range of incomes.

Affordable housing is an important addition to our housing mix as key workers such as health workers, teachers, childcare workers, aged carers and cleaners find it increasingly difficult to afford to live close to their jobs and the communities they grew up in due to declining housing affordability.

While the majority of homes delivered during the National Housing Accord Period will be market housing, the Minns Government introduced the SSD pathway to make sure affordable housing is delivered alongside it.

Under the SSD pathway, proposals are assessed in an average timeframe of 275 days or less, and the Infill Affordable Housing scheme has attracted strong interest with a rush of proposals in the pipeline.

So far, Secretary’s Environmental Assessment Requirements (SEARs) have been issued for 70 projects, with 24 Development Applications (DA) now lodged and more than further 50 enquiries from developers interested in adding more affordable homes to projects.

When accounting for DAs lodged and SEARs issued, more than 20,000 private dwellings, including 4,600 affordable homes, could be constructed.

For more information, visit In-fill affordable housing.

Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully said:

“When a big change to planning policy is introduced, it normally takes a year or two for it to take root, but this reform has surpassed expectations.

“Unlike the former Liberal-National Government, the Minns Labor Government continues to reform and facilitate the approval and development of affordable housing because we care about our key workers and want to make sure they can continue to call NSW home.

“Health workers, cleaners and child-care workers and other key workers are the backbone of our communities, but they are finding it increasingly difficult to live near their jobs, their families and friends due to a lack of affordable homes.

“Fast-tracking the delivery of new affordable homes in well-located areas alongside the delivery of market is a key part of the NSW Government’s housing reforms and will help us deliver more new housing for more people.

“Based on the success of the first year, I anticipate this policy reform will continue to attract interest from developers and deliver more affordable homes than ever before.”

Member for Strathfield Jason Yat-Sen Li said:

"More affordable housing in suburbs like Burwood will provide much-needed relief for families struggling with high cost of living.

“There has been a lot of private development here, and we need a variety of housing types in the mix.

“This innovative planning policy is making sure more residents will have access to secure and affordable homes and this will foster a more inclusive community.

“We are not only addressing the immediate needs of local families but also promoting long-term economic stability and growth.”