Shoalhaven Affordable Housing Strategy

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There has been significant change in Shoalhaven since Council adopted its first Affordable Housing Strategy in 2017. One of the key changes and challenges currently facing the region is housing affordability.

Results from the 2021 Census indicated that in Shoalhaven:

  • more than 4100 households are in housing stress
  • more than 2100 households need affordable housing
  • 700 people were recorded as homeless or marginally housed.

Recent information indicates this situation is only getting worse.

New Strategy

In 2023, following five (5) years of implementation work to carry out actions from the first Affordable Housing Strategy, Council commenced a review of the strategy. Grant funding was provided from the NSW Government’s Regional Housing Strategic Planning Fund to prepare a new Affordable Housing Strategy. Planning and economic consultants, HillPDA, were commissioned to assist Council with this work. They have also prepared four (4) draft research papers that will support the strategy, and these can be found in the Document Library located on the right-hand side of this page.

The new Affordable Housing Strategy:

  • estimates the community’s affordable housing need.
  • identifies key challenges to the supply of affordable housing.
  • sets out work Council can do to supply affordable housing and improve housing affordability.
  • supports a sustainable development industry.

The new strategy was publicly exhibited throughout June and July 2024 and was endorsed by the Council in August 2024.

There has been significant change in Shoalhaven since Council adopted its first Affordable Housing Strategy in 2017. One of the key changes and challenges currently facing the region is housing affordability.

Results from the 2021 Census indicated that in Shoalhaven:

  • more than 4100 households are in housing stress
  • more than 2100 households need affordable housing
  • 700 people were recorded as homeless or marginally housed.

Recent information indicates this situation is only getting worse.

New Strategy

In 2023, following five (5) years of implementation work to carry out actions from the first Affordable Housing Strategy, Council commenced a review of the strategy. Grant funding was provided from the NSW Government’s Regional Housing Strategic Planning Fund to prepare a new Affordable Housing Strategy. Planning and economic consultants, HillPDA, were commissioned to assist Council with this work. They have also prepared four (4) draft research papers that will support the strategy, and these can be found in the Document Library located on the right-hand side of this page.

The new Affordable Housing Strategy:

  • estimates the community’s affordable housing need.
  • identifies key challenges to the supply of affordable housing.
  • sets out work Council can do to supply affordable housing and improve housing affordability.
  • supports a sustainable development industry.

The new strategy was publicly exhibited throughout June and July 2024 and was endorsed by the Council in August 2024.

  • Community feedback published

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    Council has now published the outcome of community feedback that helped inform the new Affordable Housing Strategy.

    Residents were invited to have their say on the draft document during June and July this year. 38 submissions were received from community members, Community Consultative Bodies (CCBs), planning consultancies, licensed builders, and a variety of organisations including Shelter NSW and Southern Cross Housing.

    Most of the submissions supported the preparation of the draft Strategy, the identified actions, and Council’s continued work to help deliver affordable housing. Several organisations offered to collaborate with Council on proposed advocacy, education, and feasibility testing activities.

    Several submissions raised concerns about Council’s role in delivering or facilitating the supply of affordable housing, or objected to attempts to increase the amount of affordable housing locally.

    The Summary and Consideration of Submissions and Council Response, which summarises the feedback received during the exhibition and Council’s consideration of it, can now be viewed in the Document Library.



  • The Housing Trust Rates Council

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    The Housing Trust, a not-for-profit community housing provider, has published an Affordable Housing Scorecard judging the affordable housing commitments of the four councils in the Illawarra-Shoalhaven Region. Shoalhaven City Council received a "B" for:

    • A contemporary plan to guide its work to address housing affordability.
    • Committing to provide land for affordable rental housing.
    • Proposing to waive development application fees for affordable rental housing projects.
    • Confirming work to levy new development to provide affordable rental housing.


    Further information is available on the Housing Trust's website (link).

  • New Affordable Housing Strategy Published

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    The document outlines measures for Council to increase housing supply and improve affordability through planning controls, development contributions, use of public land and advocacy efforts.

    We would like to the thank the community and key industry stakeholders for their important input in developing this crucial document.

    A Submission Summary Report, which summarises the feedback received during the exhibition and Council’s consideration of it, will also be published online in the coming weeks.

    Click here to view the new strategy.

  • Update - Shoalhaven Council has adopted a new Affordable Housing Strategy

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    Shoalhaven Council has adopted a new Affordable Housing Strategy.

    The strategy will guide Council’s contributions to address the region’s affordable housing challenge. It outlines strategies for Council to increase housing supply and improve affordability through planning controls, development contributions, use of public land, and advocacy efforts.

    Many residents in need of affordable housing within the Shoalhaven are those who earn a steady income but are still unable to meet their housing needs as well as their other essential living costs, such as food, clothing, transportation, medical care, and education.

    Results from the 2021 census indicate that more than 4,000 households are in housing stress and 2,000 households need affordable housing.

    The new strategy:

    • Calculates the city’s current affordable housing needs.
    • Identifies barriers impacting the supply of affordable housing.
    • Sets a range of measurable actions Council can take to contribute to the supply affordable dwellings and improve housing affordability.
    • The document is now being finalised ready for publication. Council will then monitor and report on the Strategy annually.

    Updated on 13/09/2024

  • Affordable Housing Strategy (AHS) - Report to be Considered by Council on 12 August 2024

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    Council will be considering a report on the exhibition outcomes and finalisation of the Draft Shoalhaven Affordable Housing

    • Forum: Ordinary Council Meeting (Council Chambers, Nowra Administration Building)
    • Date: 12 August 2024

    About Council Meetings: Further information about Council meetings is available on our website.

    Access to Information: Anyone may access Council meeting agenda papers (reports) and minutes, for both upcoming and previous meetings. Agenda papers will be published to our website the week prior to the scheduled meeting date. View here.

    Request to Speak: Further information about making a request to speak at Council meeting is available on our website.

    Live Streaming: Information about streaming Council meetings is available on our website.

    PLEASE NOTE:

    • Recordings of live streams will be accessible within 24-hours of the conclusion of the meeting.
    • We are aware there is a high-level of community interest in the matters being considered by Council at this meeting. There is limited space available in the Public Gallery, and access to the Public Gallery will be closed once capacity is reached. Interested community members are encouraged to observe the meeting via the live streaming service.
    • Further project updates will be provided after the Council meeting.
    • The feedback received during the exhibition period will also be summarised and published in a Summary of Submissions Report, which will be uploaded to the project webpage in the coming weeks.


Page last updated: 24 Jan 2025, 03:14 PM