Two-Year Housing Wait List Drives NSW’s Prefab Push

A 24-month wait for social housing is at the heart of a $2-million decision to back prefabrication home design in New South Wales. 

The stare Government has committed the funding to a research and development program aimed at boosting medium density social housing supply in the face of a gross undersupply. 

Building 4.0 CRC’s $4-million industry-led research into modern methods of construction (MMC) will develop prototypes using prefabrication design as a proof of concept.

The NSW Government recently changed planning rules to encourage greater medium density infill development opportunity as it grapples with more than 57,000 households on its social housing register and that 24-month average waiting time for social housing.

The planning changes provide incentives for private developers to build in-fill affordable housing and deliver more product to market.

While site investigation is still under way, Building 4.0 CRC chief executive Professor Matthew Aitchison said the prototypes would demonstrate modern construction methods and their capacity to accelerate development where it was needed most. 

“This milestone research will generate strategies and methods to utilise MMC in Homes NSW projects and involve leading researchers from industry and universities across the eastern seaboard,” Aitchison said. 

▲ The federally co-funded Building 4.0 CRC chief executive Matthew Aitchison said the organisation was focused on developing technology-led solutions.

“MMC is a critical lever to pull to intensify housing supply and needs to run alongside traditional onsite construction to increase housing.

“Offsite manufacturing and productised building approaches deliver certainty, safety and higher quality design and sustainability outcomes.”

Aitchison said there was a depth of expertise and innovation in modern methods of construction domestically that could be scaled up to deliver more prefabricated housing options. 

“To invest in research and development is to invest in future solutions and right now must be fiercely focused on growing capacity and productivity,” Aitchison said.

“The proof-of-concept prototypes created in this research program gives people the opportunity to see, feel and experience these innovations first hand.”

Minister for Housing and Homelessness Rose Jackson said the collaboration “marks a crucial milestone in our efforts to address the pressing need for more social housing in NSW”.

“By investing in innovative construction methods, we’re not only increasing housing supply but also ensuring that our communities have access to safe and sustainable homes,” Jackson said.

“Innovative programs are essential as we strive to meet the diverse housing needs of our residents, and by embracing cutting-edge technology and collaboration, we’re building a stronger, more resilient housing sector for generations to come.”

The Homes NSW MMC Program with Building 4.0 CRC will be conducted in the next 24 months. Where the prototypes will be delivered will be announced.