Draft Affordable Housing Policy Amendment

Willoughby City Council sought community feedback for the Draft Affordable Housing Policy Amendment from 11 September to 9 October 2023.

At its 11 December 2023, the amendment was adopted. The Draft Affordable Housing Policy Amendment, Council Report, and the Engagement Outcomes Report are available to view in the Document Library.

Council’s Affordable Housing Policy was adopted on 10 August 2020. The Policy was silent on the issue of preference for a dedication, in favour of the Council, of affordable housing dwellings as opposed to monetary contributions.

At its 28 August 2023 meeting Council endorsed an amendment, the following clause to be inserted into section 6 of the Policy document to clarify Council’s preference for dedication of dwellings as opposed to cash contributions and to achieve consistency with the Willoughby Local Environmental Plan:

“Affordable Housing Contributions

Council’s Policy is obtaining affordable housing contributions principally through the allocation of dwellings, resorting to monetary contributions only in cases where the remaining allocated space falls below the dimensions of the smallest dwelling¹ within the approved development.”

¹ must have a gross floor area of at least 50m²”

Background Information: 

Affordable housing is appropriate for the needs of low to moderate income households and priced, so families are able to meet other basic living costs such as food, clothing, transport, medical care and education. It is generally accepted that housing is considered affordable if housing costs are less than 30% of gross household income. If a household is spending more than 30% of income on housing costs it is described as being in housing stress. Housing stress impacts on quality of life and the ability to afford other living costs.

Willoughby City Council has operated an Affordable Housing Program since 1998 which has seen 37 dwellings dedicated to Council to house local key employees such as nurses, police, teachers and childcare workers. The program is comprised of the following components:

1. Affordable Rental Housing Properties – Residential dwellings let to moderate income earners with the aim of addressing housing affordability for key and essential workers.
2. Affordable Housing Sites - Council owned land identified for future development as affordable housing.
3. Affordable Housing Reserve – Funds reserved exclusively for affordable housing initiatives.

You can Have Your Say by:

Reading the draft Affordable Housing Policy Amendment and completing the Have Your Say survey below.

Written submissions should be addressed to the Community Life Manager PO Box 57, Chatswood NSW 2057 or email@Willoughby.nsw.gov.au

Strategy enquiries: Council’s Community Development Team on 9777 1000

We look forward to hearing your ideas.

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