Helping the Coast become affordable

Council and local not-for-profit housing group Coast2Bay Housing Group signed a Memorandum of Understanding today that should help boost the supply of affordable housing stock on the Sunshine Coast.

Sunshine Coast Mayor Mark Jamieson said our diverse community understandably has a diverse range of housing needs and while the provision of affordable housing requires co-operation between many players, councils can make a big difference at the local level.

“Council continues to work closely with Coast2Bay and the state government to address a gap in the amount of affordable and community housing on the Coast,” Cr Jamieson said.

“The MOU details our commitment to providing additional planning guidance and support, representation to the state government and financial assistance to Coast2Bay. On top, the conditions in our new planning scheme already make it easier to do business on the Coast.”

Coast 2Bay is the largest and one of the longest-serving affordable housing providers on the Sunshine Coast.

CEO Morrie Evans said cementing the relationship with Council would ensure future affordable and community housing programs addressed the community’s housing needs in the broadest sense.

“This relationship will also ensure programs fit within the planning and social frameworks established by Council and are integrated seamlessly into the community fabric,” Mr Evans said.

“There are high levels of housing affordability stress, shortages of supply and long lead times in redressing the capacity and affordability issues currently evident.

“This wonderful initiative by Council and Coast2Bay will deliver real benefits to our community and the households within.”

Cr Christian Dickson, responsible for the Regional Planning portfolio for Sunshine Coast Council said the MOU is a direct action from Council’s Affordable Living Strategy 2010 – 2020 which advocates the need for diverse housing choices provided for all income levels on the Sunshine Coast.

“This MOU and changes in the recently adopted planning scheme are working towards that goal,” Cr Dickson said.

Divisional Councillor Greg Rogerson said the MOU would strengthen the relationship with Coast2Bay.

“This local Nambour company has been delivering great community outcomes for many years—they will certainly be a good partner and our shared vision for affordable housing on the Sunshine Coast will be of true benefit to the whole community,” Cr Rogerson said.

Council’s obligations in the MOU include:

• Supporting Coast2Bay through biannual strategic workshops
• Providing planning guidance and support by
  • Provision of development application officers trained in affordable housing applications
  • Prioritise and fast-track assessments to minimise holding costs and expediate delivery of affordable housing
  • Provide 50% discount on application fees as per Coast2Bay’s not for profit status
  • Offer free pre-lodgement advice to Coast2Bay.
• Possible provision of financial assistance through rates concessions and rebates
• Work with Coast2Bay to identify shared initiatives to assist Coast2Bay clients and tenants
• Provide representation to the state government on affordable living, social and community housing issues.