A new target to halve rough sleeping in NSW by 2025 is welcome recognition of the need for well planned city that is sustainable and inclusive of all its residents, the Good Growth Alliance said today.
The alliance of peak industry bodies and NGO leaders has called for a clear action plan that addresses the key causes of homelessness and the delivery of 5000 social housing dwellings a year over the next 10 years.
CHIA NSW CEO Wendy Hayhurst said more social housing must be a central part of any strategy for ending homelessness.
“Housing inequality and the undersupply of both social and affordable housing is the key driver of homelessness.
“We know that NSW is short 140,000 social housing properties. Filling that gap will absolutely critical to meeting any targets around homelessness. A capital growth fund is the most efficient means of funding that supply.”
The Good Growth Alliance includes the Property Council Committee for Sydney, Sydney Business Chamber, Community Housing Industry of NSW, Homelessness NSW and Shelter NSW.
Property Council NSW Executive Director, Jane Fitzgerald said properly planned housing for all residents is absolutely fundamental to creating a better Sydney and a stronger NSW.
“We should go one step further than halving rough sleeping and have a long term goal of ending all homelessness in 10 years,” Ms Fitzgerald said.
“However if we’re serious about having an impact we need to stop putting homelessness in a box and tackling it in isolation.
“We need all parties and all parts of government to support an evidence based NSW Housing Strategy and funded action plan to increase the supply of social, affordable, key worker and at market housing, and we need a dedicated Minister for Housing to drive that strategy.”
The Good Growth Alliance formed in November to call for a sustainable growth plan for Sydney and 10 key proposals for a better Sydney and stronger NSW.
The Good Growth Alliance proposals
1. Good Growth Summit within 100 days of the 2019 NSW Election, so communities, industry and government can collaborate more strongly on making Sydney a sustainable, liveable global city by 2050.
2. Boosting housing and driving a renewed policy focus by developing an evidence- based NSW Housing Strategy and funded action plan to increase the supply of social, affordable, key worker and ‘at market’ housing including build-to-rent.
3. Taking the lead on housing issues by appointing a Minister for Housing to deliver the NSW Housing Strategy and establish a multi-sector advisory council.
4. Delivering at least 5000 additional social housing dwellings per year for the next 10 years by introducing a Capital Growth Fund to increase the supply of social and affordable housing.
5. Reducing homelessness by committing to an action plan that addresses the key causes of homelessness with the goal of ending homelessness in NSW by 2028.
6. Planning for growth and equity by ensuring new communities have the same access to public transport, employment, education and community infrastructure as established communities.
7. Supporting better innovation and design in housing by establishing a housing innovation fund and investigate regulatory barriers to delivering innovative models and design options that improve energy efficiency and reduce the cost of living.
8. Delivering a 30-minute city by identifying existing and new public transport corridors and station precincts that can accommodate the needs and aspirations of existing communities and support the development of compact residential, commercial, community, education and health hubs.
9. Inspiring community and industry confidence in the planning system by introducing enforceable key performance indicators for Development Approvals at a local and state level.
10. Conducting an inquiry into the current funding for social and economic infrastructure in growing communities, including developer contributions, with the aim of providing industry and community greater certainty and consistency.
