THE SUNSHINE Coast Council has ruled out relaxing rules that advocates say would alleviate housing stress and homelessness in the region.
The region’s rental vacancy rate remains at a disturbingly low 0.7 per cent, while a report out this week showed 220,000 households would not have affordable housing in 20 years.
Last week the Maleny Housing Working Group (MHWG) said more needed to be done beyond the council’s recent initiative to waive permit fees for those having to live temporarily in tents, cars or caravans. The group proposed extending timeframes for temporary homes permitted on an established property.
But a council spokesperson rejected the option, citing safety concerns.
“While it is important we support people who need to access a temporary home, council also has obligations to protect and manage health and safety, the environment, and reduce impacts on nearby properties and public spaces,” the spokesperson said.
“Importantly, the current approval process enables officers to connect people to help and services when additional support is needed.”
The spokesperson said the council remained engaged with community groups and other levels of government and was open to initiatives that helped alleviate housing pressures.
Council, in conjunction with the state government, said it was continuing to plan for and facilitate the development of major urban communities at Palmview, Caloundra South and Beerwah East with these emerging communities set to accommodate a significant proportion of the additional dwellings required for the region’s expanding population to 2041 and beyond.
Jackson Hills, Manager Policy & Strategic Engagement at Q Shelter acknowledged local councils were making some moves, but said there were more levers to pull. “Last month, Sunshine Coast Council waived permit fees for those having to temporarily live in tents, cars, or caravans, due to extenuating circumstances. This is a necessary measure under the circumstances, but it’s also one council may have to consider extending, as the Sunshine Coast rental vacancy rate remains at around 0.7 per cent and may do for some time yet,” Mr Hills said.
Mr Hills said Q Shelter was encouraged to see a number of local councils looking at finding ways to accelerate social and affordable housing supply in their communities.
“Some councils have relaxed development application fees and charges, and also infrastructure charges – eg Moreton Bay Regional Council – and others have discounted rates for community housing providers. Wherever these costs can be reduced it allows affordable housing developments to flourish, especially in an already high-cost construction environment,” he said
Q Shelter executive director Fiona Caniglia, said the organisation was calling for acceleration in the provision of build-to-rent housing, a housing model that is underpinned by institutional investment
“Build-to-rent helps move towards greater stability for renters because institutional investment creates long-term tenure,” she said. “Individual owners of investment properties leave many tenants vulnerable to market changes and individual choices about that property.”