Community input sought on draft housing strategy for Tweed

TWEED Shire Council is urging the community to provide feedback on the draft Affordable Housing Strategy as the housing crisis deepens in the region. The estimated shortfall of housing will reach 4,885 affordable and social homes in the shire by 2041, with the current deficit of 3,783 homes following unprecedented pressures on affordability and accessibility.

The Affordable Housing Strategy is being developed concurrently with the Tweed Growth Management and Housing Strategy, which focuses on population growth and employment.

Mayor Chris Cherry said housing reform was an urgent issue.

“It is clear that affordable housing supply is out of step with our needs,” Cr Cherry said.

“Forty-seven per cent of renters are under rental stress, and only 2.9 per cent of homes in the Tweed are affordable.

“This strategy represents significant progress in addressing the housing crisis and ensuring that everyone in the region has a place to call home.”

The mayor concedes that councils do not build homes but that they can implement policies to require a percentage of them to be affordable.

“We need homes that our service workers, baristas and cleaners can afford,” she said.

“We can encourage the building of homes to start to fill this gap. Without this, we will not be a strong, resilient community.

“We ask the community to review the draft Strategy and tell us what you support, what your concerns are, or if you have other innovative solutions to be considered.”

Residents can register for online information sessions and provide input into the draft strategy before 4pm on Wednesday, August 7 at yoursaytweed.com.au/affordablehousing