Housing solutions: Could councils ease housing stress?
It’s no secret Hobart is in the grips of a crippling housing crisis and solutions are seemingly few and far between. But one advocate says Tasmanian councils could hold the key. EASING HOUSING PRESSURE. >>
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A Hobart City councillor believes Tasmanian councils could be sitting on land with prime housing potential and should follow the lead of Hobart to create more homes.
Councillor Bill Harvey said his council has successfully facilitated the use of three large council owned carparks in the CBD to different providers.
The first was a 50 unit development on the corner of Liverpool and Bathurst Street, run by low income housing program Common Ground.
“Council retained its carpark, but we ended up with a successful housing project above the car park,” Mr Harvey said.
Another development on Goulburn Street led to the creation of 25 units for people who are elderly or living with a disability, which is owned by Housing Tasmania.
On Elizabeth Street, the council provided the airspace for the University of Tasmania to create 430 rooms for student accommodation.
“That’s three successful housing projects the City of Hobart has been an integral player in,” Mr Harvey said.
“There hasn’t been a big song and dance about it but the council has worked really well to provide accommodation.”
Mr Harvey said other councils should follow the lead of Hobart City and assess what could be used.
“If we go out through Moonah and Glenorchy, there are a number of carparks that could be transformed into housing,” Mr Harvey said.
“They don’t have to give up the car parks, but they could provide the airspace above the carparks for accommodation.
“I’m sure there are service providers who would be interested in talking to council about how they could manage such projects.”
Mr Harvey said the federal government could help to develop a framework to guide councils which could be used across the country.
“If the federal government is serious about solving the housing crisis, they need to have a scheme that’s nationwide,” he said.
Glenorchy council mayor Bec Thomas said the council was already considering the use of car parks for inner city living along with spaces above commercial developments.
“Earlier this year, council consulted publicly on opportunities to enable apartments in the commercial zone along Main Road between Moonah and Glenorchy,” Ms Thomas said.
“This might result in an amendment to the planning scheme to enable shop-top living and 3-5 storey apartments to be built above and behind businesses in these areas.”
Ms Thomas said more housing was needed in Glenorchy.
“There is a critical shortage of housing in Glenorchy and high levels of housing stress,” she said.
“Compared to Greater Hobart, our city has a higher proportion of households with very low to moderate incomes, people renting and living in social housing, and a lower than average proportion of people being able to purchase their own home.”
Kim Bomford, the general manager of not for profit housing provider Housing Choices, said any idea that would provide housing near public transport should be explored.
“We are absolutely keen to partner with whether it be councils or private developers, to look at ways to provide good quality social housing that’s affordable to develop,” Ms Bomford said.
“It’s great to hear council talking about innovative ways to provide social and affordable housing.”
Ms Bomford said innovative solutions were badly needed as demand for social housing increased.
“Our current pipeline is about 239 dwelling over the next 12-18 months,” Ms Bomford said.
“When you’re looking at a waitlist of 4500 applicants it’s pretty easy to see that’s not going to do the job
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