Housing that puts people first.

ILLAWARRA REGION, NSW

We are not just a builder . We are a developer of small to medium master-planned communities.  We design and deliver community-focused, scaleable affordable housing developments across the Illawarra region — partnering with Councils and communities to create homes where people thrive.

View of a porch with white railings and columns, a wooden table with a white vase of flowers, glasses of water, and lemons, surrounded by wooden chairs, overlooking a green yard with trees and a house in the background.

WHO WE ARE

Building More Than
Houses. Building Futures.

  • Intentional community design begins before a single brick is laid. By co-designing with residents, local government, and advocates from the outset, we embed “belonging” into every decision — ensuring neighbourhoods reflect the people who will live in them, not just the land they occupy. Listening first is how great communities are built.

    ‘Belonging’ isn’t accidental — it’s architected. We weave it into shared spaces that invite connection, mixed tenures that reflect real communities, and ongoing programs that sustain relationships long after construction ends. Transparent engagement at every stage means residents shape their own neighbourhood, turning a development into a place people genuinely call home.

  • Good design shouldn’t be reinvented for every site. Our frameworks adapt seamlessly — from a compact 8-home infill to an 80-home master-planned precinct — embedding green space, shared amenity, and community infrastructure into every layout. Proven, repeatable, and ready to deploy wherever the Illawarra needs housing most. No two communities are identical. Through structured consultation with residents, advocates, and support service providers, we surface the specific needs of seniors, people living with disability, key workers, and those exiting homelessness — translating those voices directly into architectural briefs, tenancy mix decisions, and the support services woven into each development.

  • Councils face mounting housing targets but rarely have the in-house capacity, capital, or risk appetite to deliver alone. That’s where we step in. We identify and potentialize underutilised council-owned land without requiring upfront capital outlay, navigate complex SEPP and LEP planning pathways to reduce DA risk and delays, and structure development agreements that meets affordable housing targets firmly protect council interests while ensuring genuine community benefit. Our network unlocks institutional funding, NHFIC finance, and Commonwealth grant programs that most councils cannot access independently. From feasibility through to construction, tenancy management, and long-term asset stewardship, we manage the entire lifecycle — so councils can meet their housing obligations with confidence, transparency, and outcomes their communities will be proud of for generations.

What is a Pocket Neighbourhood?

Pocket Neighbourhood of 8 dwellings and community space covers approx 2.3 Normal house block.

A lush green backyard with blooming pink flowers on the left, surrounded by various trees, including pine and deciduous types. There's a lawn with small wooden benches and a fire pit, and a swing set in the background under a clear sky.
A lush, green backyard garden with various trees and flowering bushes. A small fire pit surrounded by wooden benches is in the center, with a white lounge chair and a fence visible in the background.

WHAT WE DELIVER

Housing Solutions for the Real World.

From site identification to ribbon-cutting, we manage every phase of the affordable housing development lifecycle.

Infill & Regeneration

We activate under-utilised council-owned and private sites to deliver compact, quality housing in established suburbs — close to services, transport and community.

Mixed-Tenure Communities

We blend affordable, key worker, and private housing to create diverse, economically integrated neighbourhoods that avoid stigma and build long-term resilience.

Modular & Fast-Track Builds

Using modern methods of construction, we significantly reduce build time and cost — critical in a regional market where supply urgency is high and budgets are tight.

Specialist & Supported Housing

We develop housing tailored for seniors, people with disability, and those exiting homelessness — integrated with the support services they need to maintain tenancies.

Precinct-Scale Development

For larger sites, we lead master-planned affordable housing precincts that incorporate green space, retail, and community infrastructure for complete, liveable communities.

Feasibility & Advisory

Not ready to develop? We offer independent feasibility assessments, funding pathway mapping, and strategic housing advice to help organisations plan confidently.

FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Your Housing Targets, Delivered.

We make it easier for councils to meet their housing obligations — removing barriers, managing risk, and delivering quality outcomes that communities can be proud of.


We identify, council and privately-owned land suitable for pocket neighbourhoods and for affordable housing without requiring council capital outlay


Our planning expertise navigates SEPP and LEP pathways to minimise delays and DA risk and advance good planning design


We structure development agreements that protect council interests and ensure community benefit and well being


Access to private equity and institutional funding, NHFIC finance, and Commonwealth grant programs through our network


End-to-end delivery from feasibility to construction to ongoing tenancy management


Transparent reporting and owner/community engagement at every stage of the project


The Illawarra Needs 10,000+ new homes by 2041.

HOW WE WORK

From Concept to Community.

Our proven four-stage development process delivers certainty at every milestone.

Pocket Neighbourhoods Australia

( 1 ) Discover and Assess

Site identification, community needs analysis, planning due diligence, and development feasibility. We do the groundwork so you don't have to.

( 2 ) Design and Engage

Pocket Neighbourhoods Australia

Community consultation, architectural design, planning applications and funding submissions - all managed as a seamless, integrated process.

( 3 ) Build and Deliver

Procurement, construction management and quality assurance — with a focus on time, cost and community disruption minimisation throughout.

( 4 ) Manage and Sustain

Tenancy management, community programs and long-term asset management — ensuring homes remain affordable and communities remain strong for generations.

Pocket Neighbourhoods Australia
Pocket Neighbourhood Australia

THE PEOPLE BEHIND IT

Meet the Team.

We're housing practitioners, planners, and community advocates — united by a belief that everyone deserves a safe, dignified place to call home.

Stephen Nall PNA

Stephen Nall

Co-Founder

CEO & Head of Community and Council Relations

Stephen is a former Lawyer and Planner with experience negotiating with council for the delivery of a major Urban Release area of approximately 2000 homes on behalf of owners of 90% of area land. Stephen is a passionate advocate for affordable housing and innovative planning solutions.

Meet the Team - Pocket Neighbourhoods

Morgen Figgis

Co-Founder

Director of Development

In his own architectural practice based in Wollongong, Barnacle Studio, Morgen has established himself as an innovative and sensitive designer in the Australian vernacular. Morgen creates engaging places to live with adaptability and longevity in mind.

Adam Stewart PNA

Adam Stewart

Co-Founder

Director of Construction

In his own construction company based in Berry, Broughton Vale Building, Adam relocated from Sydney 12 years ago and has been in demand ever since. Adam's commitment, attention to detail and listening skills are finely tuned through experience and creativity.

CONNECT WITH US

Ready to Build Something that Lasts?

From conceptualizing to constructing, we’re ready to design your architectural dream. We promise a client-centric approach that empowers ideas, eases concerns, and delivers quality craftsmanship we’ll all be proud of.