Residents are running out of time to comment on a ground-breaking draft Strategy which addresses the Coast’s housing affordability crisis.

Central Coast Council’s draft Affordable and Alternative Housing Strategy has been on public exhibition since early September and closes for community comment on Friday, 21 December.

The draft Strategy addresses housing issues which could affect more than half of local residents.

Council’s Director Connected Communities, Julie Vaughan said up to 63 percent of Coast households have low to moderate incomes and may be finding it difficult to meet basic needs including food, shelter, education and health costs.

“We know that 24,000 households are currently experiencing housing stress – this is when more than 30 percent of household income is spent on housing costs. This number is expected to increase by another 7,000 in the next 20 years,” Ms Vaughan said.

“Finding affordable housing is a challenge for a diverse range of people. This includes families trying to buy their first home and older people living alone to people with disabilities and students who need to live close to a school, TAFE or university.

“We are not just talking about people who are unemployed or unable to work, but key workers such as nurses, teachers and labourers who are struggling to afford their mortgage or rent payments.”

The shortage of affordable options is exacerbated by the limited supply of one and two-bedroom homes on the Central Coast. There is also a long waiting list for supported housing and the sheer size of the region makes services hard to reach.

The comprehensive draft Strategy offers 28 interventions which are evidence-based and likely to have a positive impact in the local setting, while maintaining healthy, attractive and safe communities.

Key interventions include:

• providing opportunities to increase the mix of housing options in appropriate locations, including one and two-bedroom homes, smaller lot sizes and mixed-housing developments

• investigating appropriate land parcels that are well located to create a variety of housing types

• working with community housing providers to provide tenancy agreements which benefit property owners, tenants and the surrounding community.

   

  The draft Strategy has been developed after extensive consultation with key stakeholders in the housing sector.

   

  Mayor Jane Smith said an important element of the draft Strategy is the creation of a range of housing options while maintaining communities which are healthy, safe and attractive.

   

  “It is imperative that we work with other levels of Government and stakeholders to help deliver a range of housing options that will meet the needs of our growing community now and in the future,” Mayor Smith said.

   

  “The draft Strategy provides a blueprint for introducing mixed housing alternatives ensuring the Coast continues to be an attractive place to live for a diverse range of people with varying levels of income.”

   

View all Central Coast Council’s recent media releases at www.centralcoast.nsw.gov.au

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