Media release
23 November 2025
The Albanese Government has today announced that the third and largest round of the Housing Australia Future Fund will deliver up to 21,000 new social and affordable rental homes across Australia, offering much-needed hope to tens of thousands of families.
The Community Housing Industry Association NSW’s Acting CEO, Caitlin McDowell, said the significant new investment in social and affordable housing was life changing.
“Safe, secure, and affordable housing is an absolute game-changer. Across Australia, these 21,000 new homes will unlock vital opportunities for individuals and families to participate in education and employment and contribute to the social and cultural life of their communities.”
Ms McDowell said that the delivery of the program through not-for-profit community housing providers, including those located in NSW, ensures that public investment will be used to deliver the high-quality outcomes and social change that governments and communities expect.
“Not-for-profit community housing providers in NSW have put people first for more than 40 years. Every new home that we deliver will make a difference for current and future generations, because we are committed to providing social and affordable rental homes in perpetuity.
“Investing in social and affordable housing projects led by not-for-profit community housing providers will create new jobs, enable re-investment in local communities and economies, and deliver cost savings to the Federal and NSW Governments.”
In NSW, not-for-profit community housing providers own or manage around 54,000 social and affordable rental homes. Social housing provides a place to call home for over 94,000 people.
Ms McDowell said that not-for-profit community housing providers in NSW are ready to deliver at scale, so that more people can experience the benefits of safe, secure and affordable housing.
“Community housing providers in NSW have many more projects that are ready to go. As the largest not-for-profit community housing industry in Australia, we are already demonstrating the strength of our expertise, partnerships and community connections to deliver at scale.
“Some not-for-profit community housing providers are set to deliver hundreds of new homes each in NSW over the next three years. Critically, our homes are designed with the needs of our residents in mind and are located in high-amenity areas. This makes it easier for people to access transport, education, jobs, health care, and essential services.”
She welcomed the program’s new focus on building social and affordable homes in regional and rural Australia and for First Nations people and communities.
“Regional and rural NSW has experienced acute housing affordability pressures for many years, so any potential new investment will be greatly welcomed by our communities. We also welcome the dedicated $600 million program for First Nations housing, to be delivered through Aboriginal housing providers, which will provide more homes and better outcomes for Aboriginal people.
Ms McDowell welcomed the Albanese Government’s commitment to invest in the growth of the not-for-profit community housing industry to enable the provision of more homes for people in greatest need.
“The Housing Australia Future Fund is creating a golden opportunity to grow the industry at scale, attract new investment, and deliver lasting change for NSW’s communities.
“It builds on the NSW Government’s historic commitments to deliver thousands of new and renewed social and affordable rental homes through the $6.6 billion Building Homes for NSW program.
“By partnering with governments at all levels, not-for-profit community housing providers in NSW have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to deliver more homes, as quickly as we can, for the people and families who need them most.”
Media contact: Bron Matherson, 0438 844 765 or Tamara Kotoyan, 0430 291 890