Council offers affordable housing

CLARENCE Valley Council says it has found a housing solution for people on low to moderate incomes.

WHILE most of the Northern Rivers continues to struggle with high housing costs, Clarence Valley Council says it has found a solution to the problem for people on low to moderate incomes.

The council has just announced the completion of its first two affordable housing units, which it says will be rented out to tenants at 75% of the market rate.

The project is the result of a partnership between Clarence Valley Council, Community Housing Limited and Housing NSW.

“Creating affordable rental housing options for our community means we are thinking about the needs of many of our community members,” Mayor Richie Williamson said.

“Low to moderate income renters in housing stress may not be eligible for social (public or community) housing as they may be just above the required income threshold.

“This affordable rental housing is aimed at local residents with low to moderate income which has higher income eligibility limits.

“A single parent with one child could earn up to $54,900 and be eligible to rent one of these units or a couple with one child could earn up to $76,000 and be eligible”.

Cr Williamson said the affordable housing project was aimed at a different group to those eligible for public housing.

“While community housing typically assists lower income households by providing housing at 25% of their household income, affordable housing provides housing choices for low to moderate income households,” he said.

“The real cost of housing has escalated at a rate far beyond wages growth, and when coupled with increasing casualisation of the workforce, those who are in need of affordable housing is a growing segment of our community covering all age groups and with an expanding employment profile."

Originally published as Council offers affordable housing