A groundbreaking proposal to establish new housing on unused Crown land has united unlikely allies in the fight for affordable homes for essential workers.
Unions NSW and Business NSW have joined forces to back a plan that would allow nurses, teachers, firefighters and police to access housing without the burden of land costs.
The proposal is part of a comprehensive submission to the Essential Worker Housing Inquiry, which outlines seven key recommendations to address the housing affordability crisis.
Mark Morey, Secretary of Unions NSW, said the plan offers a lifeline to essential workers priced out of the communities they serve.
“This proposal offers a lifeline to the nurses, teachers, firefighters and police who are priced out of the communities they serve,” Mr Morey said.
“By allowing essential workers to buy homes on unused publicly owned land, we’re not just addressing the housing crisis – we’re investing in the future of our vital public services.”
Business NSW Executive Director, David Harding said that it’s critical to have secure, affordable housing for those who form the backbone of society.
“For too long, our essential workers have been forced to choose between serving their community and having a secure, affordable place to live,” Mr Harding said.
“This plan offers a practical pathway to long term home security for those who form the backbone of our society.”
The housing affordability crisis has reached critical levels, with Sydney’s combined weekly rents rising by almost 60 per cent since 2020, from $519 to $829.
The submission also recommends expanding inclusionary zoning, providing loan guarantees for essential worker housing investments, and doubling the portfolio of the Teacher Housing Authority by 2030.
Without intervention, the state risks losing essential workers, impacting local economies and productivity.
Ed Cavanough, CEO of the McKell Institute, said there was a need for bold solutions.
“When our essential workers live more than 90 minutes from work they turn up exhausted and demoralised,” Mr Cavanough said.
“They deserve better.
“This is not just a housing crisis – it’s a community crisis.”
