Council ups affordable housing

Living in Waverley could be soon cheaper, with Council exploring avenues to increase affordable rental accommodation in the local government area.

Waverley Mayor Sally Betts said the move comes in light of Council’s attempt to consolidate its partnership with Community Housing NSW, with land increasingly expensive.

“The State Government are unlikely to invest in Waverley. In the specific case … where they already own a property which was rundown and not habitable for much longer, the likely scenario is the State Government will sell the property,” she said.

“It is therefore a good solution for us to go to them with the money that we have in our ledger to keep our social housing in Waverley.”

The Waverley Affordable Housing Program (WHAP) encourages diversity, assisting low and moderate income households for a period of three years, with properties leased out at a rate less than market value.

Social housing includes 60 properties purchased by Council but legislated by State Government criteria, such as aged accomodation. Conversely, affordable housing includes 29 properties unique to Waverley regulations and are typically designed to meet the needs of low to moderate income households.

A report was tabled on May 23 looking to address the ways in which Council can retain affordable housing in Waverley without replacing existing properties or converting social housing.

Councillor John Wakefield said one way this could be realised is through the provision of boarding accommodation.

“I would like Council to give consideration to boarding houses, many of which we have lost in our area, as … they are being sold off [and] converted into residential homes. They might be another mechanism [for] providing accommodation,” he said.

Both affordable and social housing programs assist residents who can demonstrate a strong connection to the Waverley area.

At the June 4 Council meeting, Ms Betts discussed the importance of expanding Waverley’s investment relations with the State Government in the renewal of existing housing stock.

“[The State Government] are unlikely to come and invest a lot of money in Waverley because they can get better value for money elsewhere,” she said.

Council also provides Waverley Housing for Older People (WHOP), which is long-term secure and affordable housing for people aged over 60 who have a low income.

Councillor Dominic Wy Kanak said there is scope for Council to recognise its community of artists and musicians who already formed housing enclaves in Waverley. He believes Council need to increase provisions for dedicated affordable and social housing made available to Waverley’s Indigenous community.

Council will now investigate the purchase of additional housing stock up to a value of $1.4 million for its affordable housing program.