Modular Housing to Drive Social Housing Delivery in NSWModular Housing to Drive Social Housing Delivery in NSW The NSW government has allocated $10 million to explore the use of modular housing in constructing social housing units. This innovative approach aims to provide more affordable housing options for residents faster and more efficiently. Site Selection and Construction Wollongong and Lake Macquarie have been selected as the pilot locations for the modular housing program. Three modular units will be built in Wollongong, and five in Lake Macquarie. A tender has been launched for the delivery of these homes, with an expected completion date of early 2025. Benefits of Modular Housing Modular homes offer significant advantages over traditional construction methods. They are built off-site in factories, allowing for better quality control and minimizing construction time. This efficiency is estimated to reduce construction time by 20% or more, potentially increasing housing availability sooner. Overcoming Regulatory Barriers To facilitate the widespread adoption of modular housing, the NSW government is working with the NSW Building Commission to establish uniform standards for off-site construction. The government is also addressing regulatory barriers and collaborating with local governments to expand the program statewide. Taskforce and Partnerships The Modular Housing Taskforce, comprising industry experts, is providing guidance and recommendations to the government. The program includes partnerships with PreFab Aus, Shelter NSW, Property Council of Australia, Local Government NSW, and individuals with lived experience in social housing. Government Commitment Premier Chris Minns emphasized the importance of affordable housing and the government’s efforts to resolve the housing crisis. Housing Minister Rose Jackson highlighted the significance of this pilot program as a step towards revolutionizing social housing delivery. Local Support Paul Scully, Member for Wollongong, expressed enthusiasm for the use of new construction methods to address the city’s social housing needs and the adoption of innovative technologies to address the housing shortage. By implementing modular housing, the NSW government aims to expedite the delivery of social housing, provide sustainable and quality homes, and explore all available options to provide shelter for those in need.
As the government continues to look for innovative ways to bring more homes to market faster, $10 million has been invested in researching and testing the use of modular housing to deliver much-needed social housing for NSW residents.
Following an extensive assessment, sites in Wollongong and Lake Macquarie have been identified as suitable locations to deliver the first modular social housing units.
Three sites in Wollongong will provide three modular social housing units, while four sites in Lake Macquarie will provide space for five modular social housing units.
A tender procedure has been launched for the delivery of these homes. Delivery is expected in early 2025.
Modular homes offer a cost-effective and time-saving alternative to traditional construction methods, meaning homes can be brought online faster. It is estimated that modular homes can be delivered 20% faster than traditional methods, with the time savings expected to increase over time.
Last year, the New South Wales Government established the Modular Housing Taskforce, a panel of multi-sector experts to lead the effort and advise the Government on barriers to modular housing uptake and ways modular housing can be used to accelerate housing delivery.
The Taskforce is made up of leading industry experts including PreFab Aus, Shelter NSW, Property Council of Australia, Local Government NSW and people with first-hand experience of social housing.
As modular housing has not been widely deployed in NSW, feedback from the Taskforce highlighted a number of regulatory barriers to the widespread rollout of modular housing. The NSW Government is working methodically to address these.
This work includes working with the NSW Building Commission to establish uniform standards for off-site ready-built homes.
The New South Wales Government continues to work with the Taskforce and local governments to expand the Modular Housing Program across the state and deliver more social housing faster.
For more information, visit: www.nsw.gov.au/homes-nsw/MMC.
New South Wales Premier Chris Minns said:
“Affordable and available housing is the single greatest pressure facing the people of New South Wales.
“We are doing everything we can to address the housing crisis. Today is an important milestone in our work to use non-traditional methods to build more homes as quickly as possible.”
Housing and Homelessness Minister Rose Jackson said:
“Today marks another milestone in our Modular Housing Taskforce Plan as we announce the locations for the first series of modular social housing units.
“These first sites represent a crucial first step towards revolutionising the delivery of social housing. We expect this demonstration project to pave the way for more innovative homes like this to be built in the future.
“In the midst of a severe housing crisis, we need to explore all options to get people a roof over their heads faster. By using modern construction methods, we can deliver sustainable, quality housing more quickly to the people who need it most.
“We know people don’t have time to wait. As we continue to build the 8,400 new social homes announced in the recent budget, we will continue to seize every opportunity we get.”
Paul Scully, Member for Wollongong, said:
“Modular and modern construction methods are used to produce award-winning architecturally designed homes in a timely and efficient manner, so it makes sense to trial this construction approach as part of the Minnesota Government’s commitment to building more social housing.
“I am not only pleased with the use of new and innovative construction methods being used around the world to build more social housing in Wollongong, but also the sensible use of new technology to try to solve a long-standing housing waiting list.”
