planning ยท Inner West Council
Inner West to exhibit draft affordable housing policy from May
Inner West Council has approved at least 35 days of public exhibition and consultation on its draft Affordable Housing Policy, with a report due back in August.
Inner West Council has resolved to publicly exhibit its draft Inner West Affordable Housing Policy for at least 35 days beginning in May 2026, according to minutes from its 28 April extraordinary meeting.
The resolution says council will seek feedback from the community and stakeholders on the proposed policy, with consultation to include the Your Say Inner West platform, social media, digital notice boards at libraries and service centres, workshops and direct consultation with housing and arts organisations. Council also said officers would be available to discuss the policy in person at Ashfield Service Centre on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays between 9am and 5pm during exhibition.
Council also resolved that the Your Say Inner West community survey include a question asking whether respondents are part of a target housing cohort, including key workers, artists and cultural creators, low income renters, older people or others with demonstrated housing need.
The draft policy and an engagement outcomes report, including any recommended changes, are scheduled to return to the August 2026 council meeting. Council also delegated authority to the director planning to make minor corrections before exhibition.
During debate, councillors voted down an amendment that would have added directions about council's flexibility to accept affordable housing contributions as completed units or cash, 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 affordable housing item was carried unanimously, with the minutes recording no votes against the motion.
Key facts from the minutes
- Inner West Council resolved on 28 April 2026 to publicly exhibit the draft Inner West Affordable Housing Policy for at least 35 days beginning in May 2026.
- Consultation methods listed in the resolution include Your Say Inner West, social media, digital notice boards, workshops and direct consultation with stakeholders.
- Council said officers would be available to discuss the policy in person at Ashfield Service Centre on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays between 9am and 5pm during exhibition.
- The Your Say Inner West survey is to ask whether respondents belong to target housing cohorts including key workers, artists and cultural creators, low income renters and older people.
- A report on the draft policy, consultation outcomes and any recommended changes is due back to the August 2026 council meeting.
- An amendment about affordable housing contribution settings and support for all community housing providers was lost.
Why it matters
- The decision opens a formal public consultation period on a draft policy intended to shape affordable rental housing outcomes across the Inner West, giving residents, renters, key workers, artists, older people and housing providers a chance to comment before council considers adopting any final version.
Source and method
Source: Inner West Council extraordinary meeting minutes, 28 April 2026.