The NSW Government is investing $554.1 million to fast-track the delivery of new and upgraded homes for both social and Aboriginal housing over the next four years.
Treasurer Matt Kean said the funding was part of the Government’s $2.8 billion Housing Package delivered through the 2022-23 NSW Budget.
“Everyone deserves access to a safe place to call home. The NSW Government is investing to support those who are in-need access safe, secure and affordable housing, because we understand that housing security is the bedrock of personal and financial security,” Mr Kean said.
Minister for Planning and Minister for ³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾s Anthony Roberts said New South Wales had Australia’s largest social-housing portfolio of 125,000 properties.
“The NSW Government is undertaking the largest social housing renewal in the country. Partnerships between the State, the Commonwealth Government, councils and the private sector have increased the amount of social housing in New South Wales by 10 per cent over 10 years,” Mr Roberts said.
“This package will support upgrades to more than 16,000 of the State’s assets, ensuring they are suitable for a tenant base that is getting older and less mobile.
“The package will also deliver 200 new culturally appropriate homes for Aboriginal families and 260 significant upgrades to properties across the state including regional and remote areas such as Menindee, Broken Hill, Coonamble and Cobar.”
Minister for Families and Communities and Minister for Disability Services Natasha MaclarenJones said this was an important investment to help those who need it most.
“In the past 12 months the NSW Government has invested more than $410 million extra funding in new and upgraded social and affordable housing properties as part of COVID-19 stimulus funding and support for areas impacted by the 2022 floods. The additional investment in the 2022-23 Budget builds on that,” Mrs Maclaren-Jones said.
“We are supporting people into permanent homes, including those sleeping rough, as stable accommodation is vital to improve health, wellbeing and independence by providing people a place to start rebuilding their lives.”
Minister for Aboriginal Affairs Ben Franklin said the investment was in addition to the $401 million over four years announced by the Government to prioritise Closing the Gap and improve outcomes for Aboriginal people across the State.
“Investing now in these initiatives will significantly increase the likelihood of New South Wales achieving its targets under the ³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾ Agreement on Closing the Gap by 2031,” Mr Franklin said.
“Funding through the Strong Family, Strong Communities strategy will ensure more social housing is available for Aboriginal people, particularly in regional and remote New South Wales.
“This funding will also provide 4,440 climate resilience upgrades to Aboriginal social homes.”
The $554.1 million of the NSW Government’s 2022 Housing Package will deliver:
- $300 million to upgrade more than 15,800 social homes to improve the quality and extend the life of properties and ensure they are suitable for ageing and less-mobile residents
- $149.8 million to deliver 200 new and 260 upgraded homes for Aboriginal families, and install 4,440 climate-resilience and energy-saving upgrades, helping to reduce overcrowding and improve the quality of life for tenants
- $67.2 million to continue and expand the Strong Family, Strong Communities program, providing home ownership opportunities and tenancy support to Aboriginal families, delivering housing support to Aboriginal students completing tertiary studies, and promoting the viability of the Aboriginal community housing sector through workforce training and resourcing for maintenance and operating activities
- $37 million to deliver the Together ³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾ Transition program in partnership with Community Housing Providers, providing 120 new social homes for rough sleepers
