The Unblocking Homes Program is a package of initiatives to help councils unlock the supply of new houses to ensure NSW’s growing population has a safe, secure and affordable place to call home.
As the need for new homes increases, so does the need for councils to be supported to more efficiently assess planning proposals, development applications and deliver planning work.
The NSW Government is providing such support to councils through the Unblocking Homes Program, an $11.5 million package for financial year 2022/2023 that contains 7 initiatives to boost resourcing for councils to progress projects stuck in the planning system and clear pathways for housing delivery.
The department will provide councils with assessment and case management support as well as guidance and opportunities for knowledge sharing and capacity building to enable council assessment processes to be more efficient and productive and unlock potential homes from the planning system.
This program is part of the NSW Government’s $2.8 billion 2022 Housing Package announced as part of the 2022-23 NSW Budget to support first home buyers, increase housing supply and deliver more social and affordable housing.
Details about the 7 programs and how councils can access the help, are below.
To find out more, please download our frequently asked questions (PDF, 129 KB) or email the Unblocking Homes team at unblocking.homes@dpie.nsw.gov.au
The 7 Unblocking Homes Program initiatives
Supporting councils with expertise and resources to help them finalise decisions on large and complex rezonings and DAs that lead to significantly increased housing supply.
The Planning Delivery Unit works with councils, proponents and other parties to help unblock projects that get stuck in the planning system.
Program helping under-resourced regional councils to assess more Development Applications quickly to increase the supply of new homes.
Regionally significant development refers to development of a larger investment value, scale and / or complexity that must therefore be determined by an independent panel of experts.
Helping Greater Sydney Councils develop local housing strategies to realise their housing supply goals.
Grant funding to help support 14 high-growth councils across the state to speed up Development Application and Planning Proposal assessments that lead to the delivery of new homes.