The Homes NSW Community Greening program is delivered in partnership with the Botanic Gardens of Sydney and supports social housing tenants and local communities across NSW.
Through the program, tenants come together to care for community gardens and take part in hands-on greening activities. The Botanic Gardens of Sydney employs a Community Greening team of five horticulture and education officers to support tenant-led projects across the state.
Across NSW, unused backyards, balconies and open spaces have been transformed into thriving gardens growing fruit, vegetables and flowers. New garden sites are developed through consultation between the Community Greening team, Homes NSW and, importantly, the tenants who will lead these projects.
Program benefits
Community gardens help bring people together, improve wellbeing and create pride in neighbourhoods. They help tenants:
- increase tenant participation in community life
- build stronger connections between people of all ages and backgrounds
- support healthy lifestyles through outdoor activity and access to fresh produce
- develop practical skills in gardening, planning, teamwork and decision-making
- foster a sense of pride and achievement
- build appreciation for the local environment and heritage.
Tenant participation
Homes NSW has Tenant Participation teams in each of our six housing districts. These teams work with local communities to strengthen engagement and ensure tenants’ voices are heard.
Local tenant participation teams support the Community Greening program to deliver initiatives based on three key themes:
Voice – foundation for influence
- enable tenants to have a say
- gather feedback and build capability
- support informed advocacy.
Belonging – foundation for connection
- strengthen social cohesion and wellbeing
- reduce antisocial behaviour
- activate spaces and improve safety.
Opportunity – foundation for growth
- build partnerships for impact
- connect tenants to services and opportunities
- support pathways to education, employment and small business.
Our local partners
Community Greening projects are delivered with local partners, including community housing providers, Aboriginal community housing providers, Local Aboriginal Land Councils, homelessness services and local councils.
Program supporters
Some of the organisations that support the program include:
- VegePod
- Oasis Horticulture
- Alpine Nurseries
- WaterUps
- Northcott Pottery
- Yates.
Learn more or start your own Community Greening project
To learn more, visit the Botanic Gardens of Sydney Community Greening webpage or email communitygreeningmailbox@homes.nsw.gov.au.