A housing taskforce will work with NSW local councils to identify potential sites for modular social housing, particularly in regional areas.

Modular housing has prefabricated components that can be constructed away from a building site and delivered for installation.

The advisory taskforce was established to explore solutions to the shortage of social housing in the state, including new approaches to construction.

The NSW government says while exact locations for the new housing are yet to be settled, “several local councils” have already expressed interest in being part of the project.

Premier Chris Minns says modular housing has been successfully used in NSW, other states and around the world to provide housing solutions, and is especially suitable for regional areas.

This is because planning regulations are already in place and offsite construction can be utilised, he says.

“Addressing the state’s housing crisis is our top priority and we need to explore new ways to boost housing as quickly as possible and I’m confident that modular housing will be a vital tool to achieve this,” housing minister Rose Jackson added in a statement.

Taskforce holds first meeting

The cross-industry taskforce, comprising representatives from peak bodies including LGNSW, PreFab Aus, Shelter NSW, Community Housing Industry Association, Local Government NSW, Property Council of Australia, Government Architects, Industry suppliers, unions and people with lived experience of social housing, met for the first time on Monday.

Ms Jackson says the taskforce aims to foster innovation and partnerships involving government, industry, and community housing providers.

It will investigate and advise the government on a range of social housing solutions including modular housing and other modern methods of construction, and rezoning surplus public land for housing.

The task force is managed by Homes NSW and will operate for up to two years.

The state budget set aside $10 million as part of a $224 million essential housing package to address shortages of social housing and trial innovate ways of providing more.