Granny flats the perfect short-term housing solution

In the wake of the recent national housing crisis summit, granny flats are being touted as a potential solution in addressing the national housing shortage.

This is an option Regional Development Australia Central Coast (RDACC) says should be investigated as a viable solution to help address the affordable housing shortage in the region.

Recent analysis shows more than 650,000 residential properties across Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane have the potential to house a granny flat, with many properties already subject to the right zoning and town planning codes, as well as being located close to public transport.

Of the three major cities, Sydney had the largest potential for granny flats at 242,000 possible sites, with the Central Coast identified as having the most granny flat development opportunities, with 17.2 per cent of all potential sites.

RDACC Chair Lawrie McKinna said the data highlighted the untapped potential for this solution here on the Coast and urged serious consideration by local planning authorities.

“The Central Coast region has been identified as having the greatest number of potential sites available to help solve our local affordable housing shortage and the time to act is now,” McKinna said.

“Our local planning authorities should be immediately looking at what can be done to streamline the process for property owners with the potential to house secondary dwellings to encourage as many residents as possible to consider this as a viable prospect for them.

“Once again, our entire region should be working together to look at all of the options available to us to address affordable housing needs now and over the coming years, and this presents the perfect opportunity.”

RDACC CEO and Director Regional Development John Mouland said with the future forecasts on housing availability appearing grim, we all need to work together to collectively address this situation.

“With forecasts indicating our national housing market is likely to be under-supplied by more than 100,000 dwellings over the next five years and the government aiming to build 1.2 million homes during that same period, granny flats or secondary dwellings present a quick and cost-effective option that needs to be on the table right now,” Mouland said.

“With secondary dwellings adding an additional income stream for property owners and helping to increase property values by around 32 per cent, we all need to work together to harness the individual and community benefits inherent within this effective housing shortage solution.”

The Granny Flat Report is based on analysis by town planning research analysts Archistar, lender Blackfort and property data group CoreLogic.

It can be used interactively by homeowners to identify if their property has the correct conditions for a granny flat by assessing land size, zoning, existing structures and compliance requirements.

Source:
RDACC