NSW to trial crisis housing for homeless

The NSW government will trial using vacant land and buildings as temporary crisis accommodation for people at risk of homelessness.

The plan, announced as part of the state's first housing strategy, will provide transitional housing for up to two years while longer term housing solutions are sorted.

"We've reached an agreement with Wollongong Council to investigate the use of vacant buildings and land in the Wollongong area to deliver a safe home for those who desperately need it," Housing Minister Melinda Pavey said on Wednesday.

The state will also call on other local governments, non-government organisations and the private sector to pitch other additional projects to meet the premier's goal of reducing homelessness by 50 per cent, she said.

The 20-year, whole-of-government housing strategy launched on Wednesday will also urge the private sector to come up with ideas for new development of state properties.

A new online interactive mapping tool will be created to increase transparency of the state's portfolio and encourage private investment on public land.

"We are always looking at how we can best leverage government-owned land and property to deliver better economic, social, environmental and cultural outcomes for the people of NSW," Ms Pavey said.

"(The mapping tool) allows industry to put forward innovative proposals for that land to improve utilisation and benefits for local communities."

The strategy, which also contains a two-year action plan, will also aim to modernise the state's social housing portfolio, most of which was built before the 1970s, and make renting a more secure, longer-term housing option.