Evolve Housing, in partnership with Housing Australia, Homes NSW and developer Mars Building, has announced a new development under the Housing Australia Future Fund (HAFF).
The project will be delivered on land owned by Evolve Housing and will see 15 new social housing dwellings developed in the growing suburb of Morisset in the Lake Macquarie LGA. The development comprises nine two‑bedroom units and six three‑bedroom townhouses and will contribute to increasing the supply of social housing in the region.
Additionally, Evolve Housing will construct four Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) homes on the site, fully funded by Evolve Housing. Unlike the standard group home setup, these SDA homes will consist of a cluster of self-contained units, allowing each participant to have their own private space while still offering communal areas and breakout rooms for carers.
Morisset is located approximately 30 kilometres south‑west of Newcastle and around 90 kilometres north of Sydney and provides access to a range of established services and transport options. The site is close to schools, parks, shopping centres, healthcare and employment opportunities, with commercial and retail services within walking distance. Morisset railway station is located approximately 600 metres from the site and offers regular services to Newcastle and Sydney, including a 25‑minute journey to Newcastle and a two‑hour fast train service to Sydney.
The project is expected to be delivered in April 2027.
Evolve Housing Group CEO Lyall Gorman acknowledged the growing partnership with Housing Australia and the role of the HAFF in supporting the delivery of social housing in well‑located communities.
“Funding through the HAFF has been instrumental in enabling us, as a leading community housing provider, to continue delivering safe and secure homes for people most in need,” Mr Gorman said.
“Our expansion into the Lake Macquarie LGA reflects our ongoing commitment to providing more social housing across New South Wales.”
Minister for Housing Rose Jackson said “We’re building new social and affordable homes at a scale that New South Wales has never seen before. Real homes, in well-connected communities, delivered at the scale we desperately need.
“We understand the need for more housing right across the state and that includes regional areas like Lake Macquarie. We are committed to projects like this one in other areas and continue to explore every option possible to ensure more housing is delivered sooner”.
“This is what targeted investment and genuine collaboration across the sector looks like. When Government, CHPs, and partners pull in the same direction, this is what we can achieve.”
Housing Australia CEO Sarah Amos said “We’re pleased to support Evolve Housing on this project, which reflects their strong experience in delivering quality housing outcomes for communities that need them most,”
“This project adds to a pipeline of housing being delivered through the Housing Australia Future Fund, with thousands of homes moving through planning, construction and completion stages across the country, bringing together community housing providers, governments and industry to increase housing supply and deliver lasting benefits for communities.”
MARS Building Managing Director Michael Boyd said the project reflects the role of strong partnerships in delivering quality social and specialist disability housing outcomes for the Lake Macquarie community.
“MARS Building is a well-established, award-winning local business, and we are proud to partner with Evolve Housing, Housing Australia and Homes NSW to deliver this project under the HAFF,” Mr Boyd said.
“As a local builder, we understand the impact this development will have in providing safe, secure and affordable homes for low to moderate income households while strengthening local communities.”
“During construction, the project will support local trades and suppliers and create more than 100 jobs, while delivering durable, well-designed homes that contribute to housing supply in the Lake Macquarie area.”
