Highland has obtained an Affordable Housing Property Management Licence in New South Wales, enabling the property group to manage rental homes delivered under the state government’s affordable housing program.
The licence allows Highland to provide specialised property management services for affordable housing stock across its six NSW offices, adding a regulated service stream to its existing project marketing and property management divisions.
Affordable housing under the NSW Government program provides rental homes to eligible households at below-market rates, targeting very low to moderate income earners who fall outside traditional social housing pathways but struggle to meet their needs in the general rental market.
David Highland, the company’s CEO, said the licence reflects both a business opportunity and a response to rental market pressures.
“Securing our Affordable Housing Property Management License is about more than growing our business,” David said.
“It’s about helping people access housing that fits their household budgets, while also providing our developer clients with a trusted partner to manage these homes responsibly.”
The timing aligns with increasing affordable housing requirements in NSW residential developments, where planning frameworks and delivery obligations now commonly include affordable housing components.
Luke Barbuto, Head of Project Marketing, said the capability creates a more complete service offering for developer clients.
“As affordable housing becomes a more significant component of new developments, this capability allows us to provide a seamless service across the project lifecycle,” Luke said.
“From bringing new projects to market to the compliant management of affordable housing stock, this is a real end-to-end opportunity for our team.”
Luke said Highland’s move into the affordable housing provider space is a value add to their existing and new developer and landlord clients, and also an extension to their property management business which already has over 5,000 properties under management.
“Offering affordable housing opportunities to the community also extends our reach into the rental property market to tenants of low to moderate income households,” he said.
“Affordable Housing is the NSW governments way to tackle the housing affordability crisis for rental property.
“Highland is proud to be taking an active role in this government initiative.”
Brad McHugh, Head of Property Management, said obtaining the licence required close to two years of work and detailed regulatory compliance.
“Now that we have obtained it, our team can provide a specialised, compliant service for developers and landlords delivering affordable housing,” Brad said.
“It strengthens our operational offering and ensures these properties are managed efficiently, professionally, and in line with all regulatory requirements.”