The NSW Government has set the agenda for the state’s land and development agency, Landcom, to meet a priority to increase housing affordability across Sydney and NSW.

The Minister for Planning and Housing, Anthony Roberts, today released Our Strategic Directions for Landcom, a plan to help implement the NSW Government’s commitment to address housing affordability.

“The NSW Government is committed to improving housing affordability, and we have tasked Landcom with a clear mandate – to take a lead role in improving the supply, diversity and affordability of new housing” said Minister Roberts.

“Sydney needs 40,000 new homes per year over the next 20 years to meet the dual challenge of population growth and a backlog in supply, so this work is more important now more than ever before”

Landcom Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer John Brogden welcomed a new direction for the state - owned corporation.

"This is a 20 year blueprint for a refocused organisation, and a demonstration of trust in our ability to deliver on key government priorities” said Mr Brogden..

“Landcom has a legacy of delivering new housing to the people of NSW.. Since its inception as the Land Commission in 1975, it has been instrumental in the creation of more than 80,000 homes, including some 150 housing and mixed use developments since 1997."

The document is guided by the Greater Sydney Regional Plan, as well as Directions for Greater Sydney 2017 – 2056 which coordinates land use planning, transport and infrastructure planning, and sets the principles for growth and change.

It identifies strategies that acknowledge that housing supply needs to reflect changing demographics by including housing that is more diverse and at more varied price - points, located in the right places and supported by transport, services, infrastructure, and close to schools and amenity.

Falling under three categories, it guides Landcom’s work to:

• increase the affordability, supply and diversity of housing;
• partner with others to unlock development opportunities and improve delivery; and
• demonstrate leadership in sustainable development and planning practice.

“Landcom is in a unique position in New South Wales to pursue development outcomes on behalf of the NSW Government for the public, to deliver for first home buyers, and inspire the property sector to innovate” said Mr Brogden.