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Social and Affordable Housing Strategy adopted by South Gippsland Shire Council

At Wednesday's council meeting, councillors unanimously adopted a Social and Affordable Housing Strategy, setting a new way forward to respond to the lack of social and affordable housing in South Gippsland.

By news@gippsland - 19th August 2022 - Back to News

The Social and Affordable Housing Strategy provides a sobering update of what is needed in our Shire and recognises that the lack of social housing is a big issue with an estimated shortfall of at least 420 affordable homes in our region. Developed with high levels of community and stakeholder engagement, the new strategy aims to advocate for additional affordable housing support and investment in South Gippsland.

Affordable housing should be prioritised to ensure that affordable housing tenants have access to the services that many people need, and to avoid issues of social isolation and transport poverty

Local needs and services

Social and Affordable Housing strategy recommends that council continue to work with social housing service providers to identify local needs and services, strengthen partnerships with the community and the development industry to address gaps and skills within the land use planning system.

Council will also undertake a review of council-owned and public land in the municipality and assess its suitability for affordable housing, submitting changes to the Planning Scheme where appropriate to incorporate the strategy.

At the council meeting, many councillors spoke in support of this strategy. All of them pointed out the glaring figures, the issues we face and how this strategy will assist us to encourage greater investment in this sector in South Gippsland.

Strong strategy in place

South Gippsland Shire Council Mayor, Mohya Davies said, "There has been significant underinvestment in our region and Victoria on this issue for many years. When all councillors stood for election, we were told this was an issue. I am pleased that we are able to say that we now have a strong strategy in place that will set our region up to better address this growing need."

"This strategy does an excellent job highlighting that the delivery of this support is not up to council, but we can advocate to the relevant authorities to get something done." Ms Mohya said.

If you would like to read the strategy, you can do so by visiting the South Gippsland Shire Council Strategies web page.

Pictures from South Gippsland Shire Council website.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com