Affordable housing key to winning over NIMBYs in Sydney suburbs
New housing projects that include one key attribute are getting the nod of approval from residents who have repeatedly blocked new development in the past.
NIMBYs are becoming YIMBYs if developments have this one surprising factor.
New research by Notting Hill Advisory and Deicorp has revealed that when a development included at least 5 per cent affordable housing favourability increased.
Out of 1,300 residents surveyed across Castle Hill, Crows Nest, Rhodes and Macquarie Park, about one-third fell into the NIMBY (Not-In-My-Back-Yard) category.
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Yet, reserving a 15 per cent share of accommodation as affordable housing for essential workers like nurses, teachers and first responders changed NIMBYs minds.
Most respondents wanted the share of affordable housing to be even higher, according to Notting Hill Advisory.
The research also found more favourable attitudes towards new housing when it was located close to transport and delivered other benefits to the community.
When developer built amenities like parks or retail spaces that benefited the wider community, this also helped changed perspectives on new development.
“A majority of residents are in favour or neutral towards new homes being built in their
area,” Notting Hill Advisory’s director, Berge Okosdinossian said.
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Compared to the more traditional ‘town hall’ forum, the survey was conducted via phone interviews, aiming to represent a range of community views, rather than solely relying on residents who have both availability and interest to attend a forum.
Those who owned their own home outright and were over 55 years old were more likely to be opposed to new housing in their neighbourhoods.
Renters and younger residents were the majority who encouraged new development.
In the case of Castle Hill, where Deicorp’s proposed 873-unit Showground East project includes 3,500 sqm of public open space, 74 per cent of residents in the local area considered the new park a good outcome for the local community.
Those against new developments mainly came from homeowners and mortgage holders who were concerned about additional traffic and the value of their property decreasing.
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Originally published as Affordable housing key to winning over NIMBYs in Sydney suburbs