planning ยท Inner West Council
Inner West to exhibit draft affordable housing policy for public comment in May
A draft policy aimed at shaping affordable rental housing outcomes across the Inner West will go on exhibition for at least 35 days, with feedback due back to councillors in August.
Inner West Council will put its draft Affordable Housing Policy on public exhibition for at least 35 days from May, opening a formal consultation period on a document intended to guide affordable rental housing outcomes across the local government area.
At an extraordinary meeting on 28 April, councillors backed the exhibition of the draft policy and a consultation program aimed at residents, housing providers, government agencies, arts organisations and unions representing key and essential workers and cultural workers.
The adopted resolution sets out consultation through Your Say Inner West, social media and digital noticeboards, a workshop with local democracy group representatives, direct consultation with community housing and not-for-profit providers, and in-person discussions with council officers at Ashfield Service Centre on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays between 9am and 5pm. The community survey is also to ask whether respondents identify with a target housing cohort, including key workers, artists and cultural creators, low-income renters, older people, or others with demonstrated housing need.
For residents, renters and housing organisations, the immediate change is the chance to review and comment on the draft before any final version is considered. The policy is framed around affordable rental housing for very low, low and moderate income households in the Inner West.
Councillors also considered, but did not adopt, an amendment that would have added directions about council's preferred forms of affordable housing contributions, support for all community housing providers regardless of size, and reserving the right to seek more than a 10 per cent contribution in some cases.
The next step is a report back to the August 2026 council meeting. That report is to include the draft policy, an engagement outcomes report and any recommended changes after exhibition. Councillors also delegated authority to the director planning to make minor corrections before the draft goes on display.
At the same meeting, council also endorsed public exhibition of the draft Inner West Development Control Plan, including a proposed solar panels policy for front roof planes in Heritage Conservation Areas, but the affordable housing policy was a separate item with its own exhibition and reporting timetable.
Reference minutes
Source: Inner West Council Extraordinary Council meeting on 28 April 2026, as recorded in the public minutes.
Key facts from the minutes
- Inner West Council agreed to publicly exhibit the draft Inner West Affordable Housing Policy for at least 35 days beginning in May 2026.
- The decision was made at an extraordinary council meeting on 28 April 2026.
- Consultation methods adopted include Your Say Inner West, social media and digital noticeboards, stakeholder workshops, direct consultation with housing providers and in-person discussions at Ashfield Service Centre.
- The Your Say Inner West survey is to ask whether respondents belong to a target housing cohort such as key workers, artists and cultural creators, low-income renters or older people.
- A report on consultation outcomes and any recommended changes is scheduled to return to the August 2026 council meeting.
- An amendment on affordable housing contribution settings and community housing provider preferences was lost.
Why it matters
- The exhibition gives residents, renters, key workers, artists, older people and housing providers a set period to comment on a draft policy that could shape how affordable rental housing is pursued in the Inner West.