Public housing for seniors in NSW gains a major boost
State government moves to build many more homes across the state to cater for the needs of older Australians.
THE NSW Government is investing in much-needed public housing for seniors, with more than 50 projects in the pipeline to deliver over 1100 new homes for older residents in the state.
These projects form part of the Government’s Building Homes for NSW program, the largest housing investment in the state’s history, backed by a record $6.6 billion commitment to deliver 8400 new public homes across the state.
Since April 2023, 356 new homes for senior residents have been completed, including in Rosemeadow, Merrylands and Matraville in Sydney.
Seniors housing is purpose-designed for people aged 55 and over, with improved accessibility for those with restricted mobility and close proximity to transport and services.
The suburb of Riverwood in Sydney’s south-west is the latest to see investment in seniors housing, with multiple projects underway.
It comes amid progress on the landmark Riverwood Estate Renewal Project, which will revitalise the suburb by constructing 420 new homes.
Following extensive community consultation, the Minns Government overhauled the former government’s stalled redevelopment plans to build more homes sooner.
This means increasing the number of social and affordable homes on the site to 50 per cent and delivering the project in stages.
A tender process is underway for Stage One, which is scheduled to go out for public exhibition later this year and construction expected to begin in 2027.
The government is getting on with the job of delivering large-scale housing renewals across NSW, with plans progressing for estate renewals in Waterloo, Telopea, Wollongong (Bellambi) and Wagga Wagga (Tolland).
“When it comes to tackling a housing crisis, there is no better example than what is happening here in Riverwood,” Rose Jackson, NSW minister for housing and homelessness, said.
“We are producing homes now for people who need them the most, while also forging ahead with an historic redevelopment that will future proof the housing supply for decades to come.
“Almost a third of households on our social housing waitlist are seniors – in Riverwood, that number is even higher, with more than half of the waitlist aged 55 or older.
“That is why we need to invest in social housing that is safe, secure and can accommodate the needs of older Australians.
“We often see community opposition to social housing based on stereotypes about tenants but the truth is, many of these new homes will go to women aged over 55, who are the fastest-growing group at risk of homelessness.”
