Jennifer Pittorino
Hobsons Bay council has moved to address the ongoing housing crisis after adopting its Draft Affordable Housing Policy Statement.
During council’s meeting on Tuesday, July 11, councillors said putting the draft policy statement on public exhibition has come at an important time.
Councillor Matt Tyler said it is good to see council putting this forward.
“This is tightly linked to what we have just been discussing at Techno Park Drive,” he said.
“We do face a huge challenge as a municipality and as a society in this country in regards to affordable housing.”
The Draft Affordable Housing Policy Statement has been developed to guide council’s efforts to increase the supply of affordable housing in Hobsons Bay.
Following council’s prior efforts which have been guided by the Affordable Housing Policy Statement 2016.
Which focuses on advocacy and negotiating affordable housing contributions through the planning system.
Cr Diana Grima said this issue is a prime example from what they witnessed earlier in the meeting in regards to Techno Park Drive.
“This is such an important issue for our loved ones and neighbours,” she said.
“If we don’t support affordable housing and our loved ones and neighbours they will be left out of their community.”
According to council, social and affordable housing is a council priority, there is an urgent need for more affordable housing to support households on very low, low and moderate incomes in Hobsons Bay.
Research estimates there is a current shortfall of more than 1400 affordable housing dwellings in Hobsons Bay, in which the greatest unmet demand is from very low income and single adult households.
Feedback will be sought on the draft policy statement for six weeks in July and August 2023.
Following public consultation, feedback will be reviewed and an updated Policy Statement will be presented to council for consideration and adoption.
