Clarence Valley Council release draft housing affordability policy

Will a new housing affordability policy help alleviate the ongoing crisis faced by Clarence Valley residents?

Will a new housing affordability policy help alleviate the ongoing crisis faced by Clarence Valley residents?

Will a new housing affordability policy help alleviate the ongoing crisis faced by Clarence Valley residents?

Earlier this month, Clarence Valley Council released a draft policy, currently on exhibition, which aims to diversify housing stock to meet the changing needs of the community by developing smaller, more manageable, well-located dwellings.

The policy proposes that for every 10 units of new housing built, one must meet the criteria for affordable housing.

For example, a 200-lot subdivision will be required to supply 20 affordable units of housing which, according to the policy, provides developers with the choice of a one-bedroom flat, up to a three-bedroom detached dwelling.

“This policy identifies that new development has a responsibility to not exacerbate the identified current and future need for affordable housing,” the documents state.

“Council is committed to protecting and increasing the supply of housing stock that can be affordably rented or purchased by very low, low, and moderate-income households, including target groups identified as having particular housing needs in Clarence Valley.”

According to the documents, in 2011 the region was undersupplied by over 300 units of social housing and 11.5% of renters in housing stress. However, the recent housing affordability crisis has increased this number.

But it’s hoped this new policy will help rectify this growing housing emergency.

“The high median age and the proportion of ‘lone person’ and ‘couple with no children’ households suggest that a need exists for such dwellings, and that this will increase significantly with an ageing population,” the policy states.

“This of course must be balanced against the demands of the market, so that the demand for such dwellings may increase with time, and ongoing monitoring of supply relative to demand is required.”

The draft policy is on exhibition until Tuesday, July 27, 2021.