2017-04-11 P&E Agenda Attachment 1 to Item 1 Housing Needs Assessment

What are the needs of specific groups?
There are many groups in the community who have specific housing needs:

        Older People: There is currently a shortfall in Residential Aged Care provision. Even with
         the additional currently proposed facilities, further Residential Aged Care will be required
         in Noosa Shire in the future to meet the needs of the ageing population. There is
         currently a theoretical shortfall in the ratio of independent living units, and all currently
         approved/proposed Retirement Villages would need to proceed to meet demand in the
         future;

        People with a Disability: Supported accommodation for people with a disability is
         extremely limited in Noosa Shire. Noosa Shire currently has a relatively high proportion of
         people who need assistance and this will only increase over time as the population
         further ages. Both group housing and adaptable dwellings for people with a disability will
         be required;

        Low Income Families and Young People: The shortage of affordable housing choices
         particularly affects low income families and young people. There is a very limited supply
         of social housing (either community housing or public housing) available in Noosa Shire.
         The cost of land, in particular, has limited the ability to provide community housing, and
         the waiting list for public housing is long. New or infill more affordable housing is
         required. With the cost of land, this means making more efficient use of the limited
         remaining developable land through smaller lot sizes or particular density requirements
         for attached dwellings;
        Key Workers: Noosa Shire’s economic structure is dependent on population driven
         industry sectors and tourism, which are among the poorest paid of any industries and
         have lower full-time employment rates. The lack of accommodation for key workers has
         long been an issue across the Sunshine Coast but key workers are crucial to the economy.
         Affordable key worker accommodation with good access to key tourist and hospitality
         areas, such as Hastings Street, is required;
        People at Risk of Homelessness: There is an urgent need for more emergency housing,
         including for people who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. There are nearly
         three times the proportion of households who are in the second highest category of risk
         of homelessness than for the State. There is consequently a strong need for more
         affordable housing to be built before homelessness increases;
        People Escaping Domestic Violence: Domestic violence is a major contributor to
         homelessness; however there are only 3 x two bedroom community built dwellings
         provided in Noosa Shire for people escaping domestic violence. More is urgently
         required;
        Key Workers: Noosa Shire’s economic structure is dependent on population driven
         industry sectors and tourism, which are among the poorest paid of any industries and
         have lower full-time employment rates. The lack of accommodation for key workers has
         long been an issue across the Sunshine Coast but key workers are crucial to the economy.
         Affordable key worker accommodation with good access to key tourist and hospitality
         areas, such as Hastings Street, is required;




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