It’s a major problem in City of Newcastle, but a Labor-led council is promising affordable housing will be its top priority if re-elected.

Constituents head to the polls for the Local Government Elections on Saturday 4 December.

And, while there have been many pledges by Labor and the Independents over the past few weeks, Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes admits the topic is close to her heart.

Under her leadership, council’s adopted mandates for up-zoned residential land, requiring a minimum 15% affordable housing in new major developments.

She is also the first mayor in NSW to develop and agree to an ambitious MoU with the NSW Government, which will deliver much-needed upgrades and re-development of social housing in the City.

“We’ll further pursue this commitment,” Cr Nelmes said.

“We will identify suitable sites across the City within our existing property portfolio for redevelopment as affordable housing.”

Under the plan, with community consultation, council will see seek Expressions of Interest from not-for-profit housing providers wanting to partner with the City of Newcastle to construct affordable housing units on existing council-owned properties that were appropriately zoned (excluding public reserves and other protected spaces).

“Housing affordability is the number one issue in our City,” Cr Nelmes said.

“Through increased density and improvements in technology, an affordable housing development could provide desperately-needed accommodation, while also upgrading the council service offered to the community.

“A majority Labor-led council will continue to advocate for affordable housing in new developments throughout the LGA as well as ensure that the City of Newcastle increases its efforts to increase the housing supply.

“In 2021 alone, City of Newcastle has struck a historic agreement with the NSW Government that will allow the NSW Land and Housing Corporation to reallocate its annual rates into the development of new affordable and social housing units.

“And, earlier this year, the City helped fund a 16-unit development at Wickham – being built by Compass Housing – with $3 million from council.

“During the past 12 months, the medium house price in Newcastle has increased by 30% to more than $800,000, and by 18% for apartments.

“Rent is now $532 a week, which is 10% higher than what it was just a year ago.

“For a progressive city like Newcastle that prides itself on caring for its people, this is unacceptable.

“I know that by working with the community and not-for-profit providers and applying creative solutions to a shortage of available land, we can start to turn around this affordable housing crisis.”

Her sentiments were echoed by Deputy Lord Mayor Declan Clausen.

“As a young person, I know that housing affordability is at a crisis point in the City,” he said.

“We’ve taken concrete steps to address the issue – increasing the number of affordable homes in the City.

“Unfortunately, this has often been with strong opposition from the Newcastle Independents.

“We need civic leaders who understand this issue, who are invested in addressing the affordable housing crisis, and work towards solutions.”

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