Expressions of Interest Now Open for the Housing Delivery Authority

The NSW Government has officially opened Expressions of Interest (EOI) for the newly established Housing Delivery Authority (HDA), a key initiative aimed at accelerating the delivery of well-located and affordable housing across the state.

Launched on 8 January 2025, the HDA is set to transform the housing approval process by introducing streamlined pathways for major residential developments. These reforms will reduce approval times, ensuring that homes for young people, families, and key local workers are delivered more efficiently.

Established on 19 December 2024 under the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979, the HDA leads an innovative pathway for major housing developments. The EOI process, which commenced on 8 January 2025, streamlines approvals through two key pathways:

  • State Significant Development (SSD)
  • SSD with a concurrent rezoning process

Proposals submitted through the EOI process will be evaluated against criteria designed to:

  • Deliver High-Yield Housing: Prioritising projects such as multi-dwelling housing, residential flat buildings, seniors housing, and shop-top housing.
  • Fast-Track Assessments:
    1. Ensuring projects align with development standards (not exceeding them by more than 20%)
    2. Have secure land tenure
    3. Demonstrate readiness to lodge applications within nine months of receiving Secretary’s Environmental Assessment Requirements (SEARs).
    4. Demonstrated capability to commence development quickly – within 12 months of approval.
  • Enhance Quality and Affordability: Supporting developments in well-located areas with access to transport and essential services, while contributing to affordable housing supply.
  • Facilitate Concurrent Rezoning (if required): Addressing projects needing changes to development standards or zoning to ensure compatibility with local planning controls

EOIs will be reviewed monthly throughout the five-year Housing Accord period, providing continuous opportunities for developers to have their proposals considered.

The new HDA pathway includes a single set of Industry Specific Secretary’s Environmental Assessment Requirements (SEARs) for all major residential developments.

  1. EOI submitted online
  2. Housing Delivery authority (HAD) evaluates & recommends to Minister an approval pathway either:
    • SSD
    • SSD and concurrent re zoning
    • Existing DA pathway.
  3. Minister for planning declares the proposal state significant
  4. Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure provides SEARs within 7 days
  5. Applicant lodges application within 9 months
  6. SSD Assessment & public exhibition commencement
  7. SSD and concurrent rezoning approved within 275 days.

Developers are encouraged to submit EOIs for eligible projects, with reviews conducted monthly throughout the five-year Housing Accord period. This ongoing process ensures that opportunities to deliver transformative housing projects remain available to industry leaders.

For more information about the EOI process and eligibility criteria, visit Housing Delivery Authority