Future Directions for Social Housing in NSW Evaluation

The Future Directions evaluations were DCJ’s first large-scale outcome and economic evaluations of social housing, providing for the first time evidence of what works for whom and why, to improve future delivery. The evaluations used rigorous mixed-methods approaches and were ground-breaking in creating a large, linked data asset to track outcomes of clients over time. This allowed us to attribute change in a broad range of outcomes to social housing interventions.

DCJ commissioned two experienced research consortia to evaluate the Future Directions for Social Housing in NSW Strategy; one led by the Melbourne Institute to evaluate the Social Housing Management Transfers (SHMT) program, Social and Affordable Housing Fund (SAHF) and NSW Land and Housing Corporation Future Directions Implementation Projects (LAHC FDI); and another led by ARTD Co to evaluate the five Service Improvement Initiatives.

An overarching Future Directions Strategy evaluation synthesised the results of the individual program and initiative evaluations, explored if and how various known policy impact determinants featured in the Strategy development, identified what factors influenced the implementation of this policy within government, and determined how tenants’ perspectives, experiences and interests have been reflected in the design and implementation of the Strategy. Supplementary cost-benefit analysis, from the perspective of the NSW Government, was conducted to assess the impact of additional Commonwealth Rent Assistance flowing to the state due to the reforms. Future evaluation should examine longer-term tenant outcomes and consider the benefits accruing from additional Commonwealth Rent Assistance being leveraged into the system as a result of the management transfers.

Red the full collection of final Future Directions evaluation reports:

Final Report for the Future Directions for Social Housing in NSW Strategy Evaluation (PDF, 3.1 MB) and Supplementary Cost-Benefit Analysis (PDF, 638.8 KB)

This final evaluation report synthesises findings from the separate Future Directions program and initiative evaluations to provide evidence and practical advice for developing effective and cost-efficient housing policy into the future.

Final Report for the NSW Land and Housing Corporation Future Directions Implementation Projects (LAHC FDI) Evaluation (PDF, 3.4 MB)

Final report of the process, outcome and economic evaluation of NSW Land and Housing Corporation Future Directions Implementation Projects (2016-2021), undertaken by a consortium led by the Melbourne Institute.

Final Report for the Social and Affordable Housing Fund (SAHF) Evaluation (PDF, 4.4 MB)

This final evaluation report presents findings from a process, outcome and economic evaluation of the Social and Affordable Housing Fund, from commencement in 2017 to June 2021, undertaken by a consortium led by the Melbourne Institute.

Final Report for the Social Housing Management Transfers (SHMT) Evaluation (PDF, 4.0 MB) and the Community Housing Industry Association NSW (CHIA NSW) Response to the SHMT Evaluation (PDF, 275.8 KB)

This final evaluation report presents findings from a process, outcome and economic evaluation of the Social Housing Management Transfers program, from commencement in 2016 to June 2021, undertaken by a consortium led by the Melbourne Institute. The SHMT program was implemented against the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic, a period when statewide restrictions created significant obstacles, such as accessing properties to undertake repairs and maintenance, supply issues, and extra pressures on wellbeing and mental health across society in general.

What did we learn? Evaluation of Future Directions for Social Housing in NSW Service Improvement Initiatives (PDF, 144.1 KB)

This summary outlines key findings from the final evaluation of the Rent Choice, Opportunity Pathways and Youth Development Scholarships Social Housing Service Improvement Initiatives published in 2024.

Social Housing Service Improvement Initiatives Outcomes and Economic Evaluation Final Report (PDF, 4.1 MB) and Appendices to the Social Housing Service Improvement Initiatives Evaluation Final Report (PDF, 2.0 MB)

This evaluation report presents findings from a process, outcome and economic evaluation of the Rent Choice, Opportunity Pathways and Youth Development Scholarships Social Housing Service Improvement Initiatives, up to June 2021, undertaken by a consortium led by ARTD Consultants.

Social Housing Service Improvement Initiatives Evaluation Final Report - Additional Rent Choice Analysis (PDF, 1.0 MB)

This supplement to the Social Housing Service Improvement Initiatives final evaluation report presents findings from additional analysis of Rent Choice eligibility, deeper subsidies and duration of support, undertaken by ARTD Consultants and Taylor Fry.