About Future Directions
Future Directions is a 10 year plan to drive better outcomes for social housing tenants.
Future Directions FAQ
What is Future Directions?
Future Directions is a 10 year plan to drive better outcomes for social housing tenants.
Future Directions focuses on 3 areas:
- more new and improved social housing
- more opportunities and support for people to avoid or transition through social housing
- a better experience for tenants.
What are the key features of Future Directions?
By 2025, we will:
- work with the non-government and private sector to deliver 23,000 new and replacement homes
- transfer management of government owned homes to the non-government sector, moving from around 18% to 35% of all social housing in NSW being managed by the sector
- continue to introduce measures to make sure social housing meets the changing needs of tenants.
What are the benefits of transferring the management of social housing to the community housing and non-government sector?
We want to make sure social housing has a more positive impact on people’s lives. Increasing the management of social housing properties by the community housing providers will:
- make the most of community networks to deliver better long term outcomes for tenants and applicants
- make the social housing system stronger and more diverse
- access more sources of funding that are available to community housing providers to better support tenants
- build up the skills and size of the community housing sector.
Find out more about the Management Transfer Program.
How many new homes will be built under Future Directions?
The proposed program will deliver approximately 23,000 new and redeveloped social housing properties and 500 affordable dwellings, to be used for people transitioning out of social housing or for people to avoid entering the system. Old housing stock will be renewed with modern homes that meet people’s needs.
How will current and future social housing tenants benefit from redevelopments?
The redevelopment program will enable us to deliver more social housing that will assist more people on the housing wait list. Redeveloping current sites offers tenants better quality social housing in mixed communities, with a combination of social housing, affordable housing and private rental tenants living in the same area. Redeveloped properties deliver new and improved housing that is better designed to suit tenants’ needs and will be close to amenities, transport, education and employment.
Where will tenants be relocated to if their property undergoes redevelopment?
During redevelopments, we consult with tenants and try to relocate them to other social housing properties within the local area.
We work closely with communities throughout the relocation process to avoid unnecessary disruption to tenants’ lives. These redevelopments deliver new and improved housing that is better designed to suit tenants’ needs. Tenants can relocate back once the redevelopment is completed.
How will Future Directions improve employment opportunities for tenants?
We are implementing a number of initiatives to increase employment opportunities for tenants in social housing. These include:
- giving young people and families with children homes that are closer to better schools and jobs
- employing social housing tenants as part of new maintenance and building contracts
- Opportunity Pathways, a voluntary program that will connect up to 3000 clients with education and training, practical assistance and employment opportunities in order to find and maintain a job.
How will Future Directions improve educational opportunities for children in social housing?
Families with children will be given homes that are closer to better educational opportunities. Improving access to education improves lifelong outcomes for children growing up in social housing.
What opportunities will be provided for families with non-school aged children?
The NSW Government will invest $2 million toward the establishment of new early childhood education centres in social housing areas. This will improve a range of outcomes for children in social housing, including school readiness, school completion and health.
Why is the NSW Government changing the system?
The social housing system needs to adapt to better serve vulnerable people in NSW. The current system is challenged by limited growth in rental income, constrained funding, ageing assets and rising operational costs.
The new system will better be able to provide vulnerable people with a safety net in times of need, offer tenants supported pathways to independence while housing more people from the waiting list.
What consultation took place and who was consulted?
In developing the Future Directions strategy, the NSW Government undertook extensive consultation with the community. For more information, visit how we got here.