A new housing policy

Between 29 July and 9 September 2020, the department exhibited an Explanation of Intended Effect (EIE) for a proposed new Housing Diversity State Environmental Planning Policy (Housing Diversity SEPP). The EIE proposed that the new policy:

• introduce new definitions for build-to-rent housing, student housing and co-living;
• amend some state-level planning provisions, particularly for boarding house and seniors housing development;
• amend some state-level planning provisions to support social housing developments undertaken by the NSW Land and Housing Corporation (LAHC) on government-owned land; and 
• consolidate three housing-related SEPPs:
  • State Environmental Planning Policy (Affordable Rental Housing) 2009
  • State Environmental Planning Policy (Housing for Seniors and People with a Disability) 2004
  • State Environmental Planning Policy No 70 – Affordable Housing (Revised Schemes).

Exhibition documents

• Housing Diversity SEPP Explanation of Intended Effect
• FAQs on the Explanation of Intended Effect
• Report to the Minister from Council Boarding House Working Group
• Investigation report - Greater Sydney Commission - “Seniors Housing in the rural areas of The Hills and Hornsby local government areas”.

Over 270 submissions were received in response to this exhibition. 

Submissions received during the exhibition period informed the development of the policy now known as the Housing SEPP. A report summarising the feedback received in these submissions can be found here.

Submissions