On May 8, the NSW Government announced that it had committed to funding $36 million towards the 12-month extension of the National Partnership on Homelessness, alongside $29 million from the Commonwealth Government. The Commonwealth, state and territory governments are continuing to negotiate in relation to funding beyond 2013–14.

On 8 May 2013, the NSW Government committed to funding around 500 incentives for the 'shovel-ready' round under the National Rental Affordability Scheme (NRAS) — subject to the submission of projects that meet NRAS and NSW funding priorities, and to the number of incentives that are made available to each state and territory. The round will close on May 22. Read about the 'shovel-ready' NRAS round.

Following a review of the Residential Parks Act 1998, NSW Fair Trading has released a draft Residential (Land Lease) Communities Bill for public consultation. The draft Bill covers issues such as rules of conduct for operators and sanctions for non-compliance, mandatory education for all new operators, increases in site fees, enforcing community rules, disclosure of information to prospective home owners, and the process for owners who wish to sell their home on site. Submissions are due by 17 May 2013. Read about the draft Residential (Land Lease) Communities Bill.

On 16 April 2013, the NSW Government released its white paper on a new planning system for public consultation. The white paper’s proposals include mechanisms to facilitate the fast-tracking of 80% of development proposals, with most decisions being made within 25 days. The release of the white paper follows a consultation process that includes the release of a green paper in July 2012. The closing date for submissions is June 28. Read more.

On 22 March 2013, expressions of interest have opened for specialist homelessness services to apply for funding in relation to the Going Home Staying Home sector reforms:

• An Innovation Fund is to help services to adapt their service delivery designs (this fund is being managed by Housing NSW) — expressions of interest close on April 19;
• An Industry Development Fund is to assist services to achieve organisational change (this fund is being managed by a partnership comprised of Homelessness NSW, the NSW Women’s Refuge Movement and Yfoundations) — expressions of interest close on April 26.

More information is available from Housing NSW, NSW eTendering (search under ‘Current’), Homelessness NSW, the NSW Women’s Refuge Movement and Yfoundations.