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

       One bedroom units for older single people, preferably not in resort complexes;
       Single person accommodation with a communal kitchen for key workers;
       Duplexes for families;
       Two to three bedroom houses;
       Some larger houses for families.

There is concern by social housing providers that the amount of affordable housing available will
further decrease when the 10 year tax rebate period for housing developed under NRAS expires,
expected in 3 to 8 years time in Noosa Shire. At this time, rents that are currently discounted to
80% of market rent will return to the full market price, and this will create a surge of people
looking for more affordable housing. It is also considered likely that affordability issues may
magnify over the next few years as property prices increase in Sydney and Melbourne. This brings
cashed up buyers to Noosa Shire.

There are very few housing options available for service providers to place people who are
homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. There are homeless support workers in Nambour, but
none in Noosa Shire, and providers consistently report being unable to meet the need for
supported accommodation. More SHINE houses are required, and incentives for developers to
build this type of accommodation.

Key Criteria
Location is considered to be as or more important than the dwelling. A lack of affordable housing
can mean that people have to move to outer areas of the Shire, often meaning a loss of social
supports and poor access to services. Affordable accommodation must be near transport and
services. Apartments in town centres would be appropriate for some, including older people.

It is not just affordable housing that is the issue, it is also affordable living, and there are multiple
issues involved.

At least one service provider is now not headleasing properties to provide homelessness services
in Noosa Shire as they have found that they are unable to provide affordable exit options in
Noosa Shire for permanent accommodation.

Barriers to Provision
The issue of lack of affordable housing is not just geographically isolated to Noosa Shire, it is a
national issue. The imbalance between supply and demand is the most significant barrier,
particularly because Noosa Shire is a holiday destination. The greatest single barrier is considered
to be land price, and that this difficulty will exacerbate over the next decade. If the land costs a
minimum of $400,000, developers will build an expensive house to justify the cost of the land.

The issue for service providers is also not enough services to cater for demand, and the lack of
options to place people in emergency or crisis accommodation in Noosa Shire. There is also
considered to be a NIMBY attitude to social housing, both to placing people in affordable rental
properties and the potential to create a ghetto type effect by building new affordable housing.

Some service providers are interested in exploring opportunities about the provision of housing
under the NDIS. However the model is currently not well enough developed to understand how it
may affect housing needs.




Briggs & Mortar Pty Ltd | Page 118