Shire seeks to bridge gap on social housing

Surf Coast Shire has adopted its first social housing policy as it joins other G21 councils in taking action to close the affordable housing gap.

The shire’s social housing policy has been developed as a part of the G21 Region Social Housing Project and outlines council’s role in helping identify land, undertake planning assessments and build community awareness of the need for more affordable housing.

There are currently 62 social housing properties within the Surf Coast Shire and unmet demand for an additional 335 homes.

Through the Big Housing Build initiative, the state government has committed to spend $20 million to increasing the provision of social housing within Surf Coast Shire which will be delivered by the state government agency, Homes Victoria.

Surf Coast Shire mayor Cr Libby Stapleton said the policy outlined the importance of positive working relationships across state and local government, with a shared goal to increase the availability of affordable housing.

“This is an important policy for council which aligns with state policies and regional collaborative efforts to increase the provision of social housing,” Cr Stapleton said. “The aim is to close the gap between the current level of social housing that is available and the demand that exists in our communities.

“For some people and families, housing costs in our communities can mean that there is very little money for food, bills, and everything else.

“We want to play our part in helping people in this situation.”

She said without stable and secure housing, vulnerable people in particular were at risk of not getting the support they need to participate more fully in their community.

“Building more social housing is about health, fairness, and strengthening our communities,” she said.

The council received 18 submissions in support of the draft social housing plan and 10 objections to the proposal which will guide how affordable housing is created in the shire.