In a bid to tackle declining affordable housing availability, Lake Macquarie City Council is deploying a fleet of “tiny homes” for local residents.
After a productive meeting hosted by council in April, it was identified the accommodation crisis was far more complex than initially let on.
“We had more than 80 people from dozens of organisations and government departments in one room… and the clear message was that there is no single solution to housing shortages in our region,” mayor Adam Shultz said.
“But, there was also a determination throughout the group that we must be brave, we must innovate, and we can’t just keep doing the same thing and expecting things to change.”
“We need to lean into new opportunities and work together.”
The solution? Downsizing.
The innovative trial, developed in partnership with service provider Allambi Care, was an idea which supported recommendations identified within the meeting.
It will involve two self-contained, affordable and transportable homes, a fraction of the size of traditional housing, to be moved onto council-owned residential land in Belmont North.
The buildings will be available to local families in need, provided via Allambi Care.
CEO Simon Walsh said the partnership aimed to support vulnerable community members.
“The use of a tiny home is a practical and cost-effective way to address housing affordability and tackle homelessness, providing safe, dignified and immediate shelter for those in need,” he explained.
“This collaboration reflects our shared commitment to creating inclusive communities where everyone has a place to call home”.
Plans are also in place to install three prefabricated homes as an interim housing measure on under-utilised strategic land holdings nearby in Belmont, according to Cr Shultz.
“These are relatively small projects but that doesn’t reduce their importance,” he said.
“They aim to provide proof of concept and, if they work, they could create a solution blueprint with potential to be rolled out much more widely.
“A key outcome from the Housing Forum was to maximise the potential use of under-utilised land, and this initiative does just that.”
Possible changes to council’s Development Contribution Plans (DCP) are also in the pipeline to incentivise affordable housing.
“We heard from multiple stakeholders at the Housing Forum that DCP should do more to encourage rather than deter affordable housing developments,” Cr Shultz said.
“It’s something we should be acutely aware of when we consider the latest version of our contribution plans next month.”
Council is also due to table a motion at this week’s National General Assembly of Local Government, proposing a dedicated local infrastructure fund for regional communities struggling with housing affordability.
A Housing Forum Outcome Report and Action Plan is due to go to council on 30 June.
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