Shire opens EOI for affordable housing project

THE Surf Coast Shire is actively seeking a partner to develop new social and affordable housing in Aireys Inlet, and will also lobby state and national bodies on the wider housing issues.

Last week, the shire announced it had opened expressions of interests (EOI) to Registered Housing Agencies for the project at 2 Frasers Drive as well as take on the management of four existing social housing units at the site.

The EOI forms part of the shire’s Aireys Inlet Affordable Housing Project.

The process will accept submissions from Registered Housing Agencies – not-for-profit Community Housing Organisations that provide safe, secure and affordable rental homes for people on low and middle incomes – until April 21.

“This is an important milestone in the Aireys Inlet Affordable Housing Project, as we take another step towards being part of a solution to the affordable accommodation crisis in one of our coastal towns,” Cr Libby Stapleton said.

“We know that there are key workers, families, women and older residents who are struggling to stay in the place they call home because it is becoming harder to afford it.

“While this is a national issue, the Fraser Drive project is an example of Council working with community to do what we can to address the crisis.”

The shire says proposals will be assessed based on the community’s vision and objectives for the site, as identified through engagement including four drop-in sessions, an online survey and submissions, and an independently-led workshop with 16 community members and two shire councillors.

“Thank you to everyone who provided input during the first engagement phase. It has laid the foundations for how we can create social and affordable housing at Fraser Drive,” Cr Stapleton said.

“While we don’t know exactly what the housing will look like and how many people it will house, community members will be informed of progress and can register for project updates via surfcoast.vic.gov.au/FraserDrive

“After a co-design process, the broader community will have opportunities to have their say, including during an exhibition period.”

At their council meeting last month, councillors resolved to move motions to support initiatives that address key worker and affordable housing shortages at the Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV) state council meeting on May 19 and the Australian Local Government Association (ALGA) General Assembly from June 13-16.

The council will move a motion for the MAV to call on the Victorian government to conduct another Secondary Dwelling Pilot and Code to test the use of secondary dwellings for long-term rental accommodation (instead of short-term holiday stays). The pilot would include a variety of regional and urban municipalities, including a coastal community.

The council will also move a motion for the ALGA to call on the federal government to permanently enable a Working Holiday Maker visa holder to work for up to 12 months with one employer and give hospitality jobs “specified work” status, to enable such workers to apply for extensions to visas in subsequent years.