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A new state-of-the-art Housing Analytics Lab, led by �°IJʹ��� Sydney researchers, coordinates efforts to address Australia’s critical housing affordability and supply crisis.

The Housing Analytics Lab, in Sydney’s Tech Central, brings together academic experts, industry, government and not-for-profits to co-design solutions and inform critical future planning.

NSW Premier Chris Minns, NSW Minister for Housing and Homelessness Rose Jackson and NSW Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully officially opened the facility, which is equipped with innovative technology including live dashboards of real-time planning approvals and a generative AI Assistant to forecast the impact of planning policies.

The was awarded a $1 million grant by the Office of the NSW Chief Scientist to establish the Housing Analytics Lab. The research space centralises housing data from different areas in the sector to find breakthroughs to problems like affordability, the shortfall of social homes and the stifled development pipeline. 

A state-of-the-art housing research facility

Project lead, Scientia Professor Chris Pettit, Director of the City Futures Research Centre, said the Housing Analytics Lab would disseminate real-time evidence to key players to inform future planning and decision-making. 

“With the nation facing significant housing challenges, it’s vital that researchers, government and industry work together using the most robust data and analytical tools to inform policy,” Prof. Pettit said. “Having the space with the capabilities of the Housing Analytics Lab at our disposal means we can all come together and co-design much-needed solutions backed by data.” 

Key partners include Commonwealth Bank, Mirvac, NSW Tenants’ Union, National Shelter, AURIN and Housing Australia.

NSW Premier Minns said establishing this important facility is a key part of tackling the state’s housing crisis. “This facility brings together the experts and the data, giving us key insights as we address the housing crisis,” he said. “We need universities that can translate research into real-world solutions — exactly what �°IJʹ��� is doing here.

“As this lab shows, universities are absolutely essential institutions which, at their very best, can help us solve the problems of our day. And there's no greater problem facing this country than housing.”

The Lab is a hub for housing experts and community members to develop and launch products and services addressing housing challenges. These include: 

• housing capacity around train stations
• requirements for social housing by local government area
• distribution and turnover of short-term and long-term rentals 
• data on housing and apartment developments. 

“We can use real-time housing datasets and the power of machine learning to explore multiple planning scenarios with live feedback,” Prof. Pettit said. “This will help provide decision-makers with the ability to assess the impacts of different policy options before implementation.

“We'll also use the Lab to train the next generation of city shapers in digital literacy, upskilling them with insights and knowledge on new data analytics and AI solutions.” 

�°IJʹ���’s Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Attila Brungs, said the Housing Analytics Lab demonstrates how the University’s world-leading researchers are fostering collaboration to positively impact society.

“The housing crisis is a complex policy challenge that can only be addressed through genuine collaboration across sectors,” Prof. Brungs said.

“By bringing together the deep expertise of �°IJʹ��� researchers, the decision-making ability of government, the resources and reach of industry and the vital contributions of not-for-profits, the Housing Analytics Lab launched today will help deliver solutions that benefit all Australians.” 

The Commonwealth Bank is one of the Lab’s key partners. The bank’s Dr Michael Baumann, Executive General Manager for Home Buying, said helping Australians achieve home ownership ambitions is a top priority.

“Through supporting initiatives like the �°IJʹ��� Housing Analytics Lab, we are helping to foster cross-industry collaboration to address housing supply and affordability challenges in Australia.”