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 housing needs.
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 region, and this Strategy seeks to provide effective policy solutions to address this,” Hart said.
“It aims to build a vision for a fair and inclusive region, where everyone has access to affordable and sustainable housing.”
Key highlights and actions undertaken by Council since the Strategy’s adoption in April 2019 include the employment of an Affordable Housing Officer.
A Council Affordable Housing Land Proposal, which was endorsed for exhibition on April 27, provides the framework for developing affordable housing on council owned and under utilised land.
Two council owned cottages have undergone basic maintenance in preparation for tenanting, with a request for Information administered to invite responses from registered community housing providers and specialist homelessness services for a leasing arrangement.
An internal protocol and policy have been drafted to formalise Council’s approach to work with rough sleepers on council land/property, as well as the ongoing process for Council staff to request outreach services for rough sleepers that they encounter.
Two local neighbourhood centres are piloting the Intervention and Prevention Brokerage Program to prevent people from becoming at risk of homelessness.
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.
Source:
Media release, June 15
Central Coast Council