Homes NSW Guidelines for Direct Dealing
The Homes NSW Guidelines for Direct Dealing (the Guidelines) recognise that there may be certain circumstances where it is appropriate for Homes NSW to direct deal with an organisation without first undertaking a competitive process.
While Homes NSW may have compelling reasons for dealing directly with a proponent, it must also ensure that it meets all NSW Government procurement and legislative requirements, and manages any risks associated with using a direct dealing process.
As such, the purpose of the Guidelines are to:
- outline when a direct deal may be considered and the types of proposals which can be submitted
- broadly define the process and criteria for assessing direct dealing proposals
- ensure that Homes NSW processes for receiving, assessing and governing direct deal proposals comply with the NSW Government Procurement Policy Framework (PPF) and the Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ) Procurement Policy. This includes complying with the NSW Government Direct Dealing Guidelines and the ICAC Guidelines on Direct Negotiations: Guidelines for Managing Risks, both of which are referenced in the PPF.
About these Guidelines
The Guidelines build on, and replace, the Community Housing Provider (CHP) Direct Dealing Policy 2022 developed by the (then) NSW Land and Housing Corporation (LAHC), including expanding its scope to operate in the Homes NSW context.
They apply to direct dealing proposals involving:
- Homes NSW, and
- a registered mainstream or Aboriginal community housing provider (CHP /ACHP), and/or
- an accredited homelessness provider.
Proposals can be to increase the supply (directly or indirectly) of social, Aboriginal, affordable, co-operative, crisis, temporary, transitional, meanwhile use and/or government key worker or essential local area worker housing or accommodation.
Eligible organisations may request the contribution of cash, land and/or property from Homes NSW (including from LAHC, the Aboriginal Housing Office and the Minister administering the Housing Act 2001 (NSW) for and on behalf of the State of New South Wales).
Assessing proposals
As direct deal proposals may vary in type, scope, value and risk, the Guidelines support tailored assessment frameworks being developed and published for each broad category of direct deal. These assessment frameworks will detail the specific process, assessment criteria and governance arrangements for each deal type.
Direct dealing assessment frameworks have been developed, or are being developed, for proposals involving:
- land and property development transactions and co-investment opportunities (for example, joint developments or takeout transactions) on or involving Homes NSW (LAHC) land and/or assets and/or land owned by the proponent or a third party (published)
- land and property development transactions and co-investment opportunities (for example, joint developments or takeout transactions) on or involving Homes NSW (AHO) land and/or assets and/or land owned by the proponent or a third party (in development)
- transactions involving CHP/ACHP or homelessness provider or Aboriginal owned or privately owned land – for example, the proposal involves land which a CHP owns (in development)
- management of meanwhile use projects – for example, a property that will be vacant temporarily while awaiting redevelopment is made available for Homes NSW to use and Homes NSW is seeking an appropriate organisation to manage the site and the properties contained within (in development)
- small scale social housing management transfer projects. (in development)
More information
Eligible housing and homelessness providers interested in direct dealing with Homes NSW are encouraged to review the Homes NSW Guidelines for Direct Dealing below and refer to the ‘Submission and assessment of direct dealing proposals’ page for more information about developing and lodging a proposal.