Central Coast Council, New South Wales, has achieved positive outcomes to help solve the region’s affordable housing challenge.
Two years on from the adoption of the Central Coast Affordable and Alternate Housing Strategy, Council has achieved a range of positive outcomes to help address the broad spectrum of affordable housing need across the Central Coast.
Council Administrator, Rik Hart said the Strategy was a comprehensive plan which addressed initiatives across the housing continuum, from homelessness through to home ownership, providing pathways for a range of households, from very low through to moderate incomes.
“The demand for access to affordable and alternate housing is a growing and complex issue impacting the Central Coast Local Government Area and this Strategy seeks to provide effective policy solutions to address this.
“It aims to build a vision for a fair and inclusive region, where everyone has access to affordable and sustainable housing.”
Engaging an Affordable Housing Officer was a key initiative of the Strategy’s adoption, along with implementing the Council Affordable Housing Land (CAHL) Proposal, which was endorsed for exhibition on 27 April 2021, providing the framework for developing affordable housing on Council-owned underutilised land.
Under the Transitional Properties Portfolio, two Council-owned cottages have undergone basic maintenance in preparation for tenanting. Registered community housing providers and specialist homelessness services have been invited to tender for a head leasing arrangement.
An internal protocol and policy have been drafted to formalise Council’s approach to working with rough sleepers on Council land/property, as well as the ongoing process for Council staff to request Outreach Services for rough sleepers they encounter.
The Intervention and Prevention Brokerage Program which aims to prevent people from becoming at risk of homelessness has been piloted by two local neighbourhood centres.
An animated video has been developed to educate the community on the need and design of affordable housing to increase awareness and acceptance. This will be rolled out through local high schools coinciding with Homelessness Week in August 2021.
