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

Yet the supply of social housing appears relatively low, the supply of community housing is very
low, and the supply of emergency accommodation is even poorer. There was a total of only 16
NRAS dwellings built in Noosa Shire, and there are no further application rounds planned for
NRAS. It would appear unlikely that there will be a further State or Australian Government
response to provide more low cost housing in the near future.

The provision of social housing is the responsibility of the Queensland Government. Social
housing comprises public housing and community housing. Public housing is funded and
managed by the State Government; and community housing is funded by either the Australian or
the State Government and managed by the not-for-profit sector. However by 2020, most social
housing services will be managed by community housing providers.

In recent years there have been a small number of larger, commercially sophisticated not-for-
profit providers operating alongside the existing State and Territory-run housing authorities to
provide ‘affordable housing developments’. Organisations such as ‘housing companies’ utilise
financial measures such as working with banks, developers and other commercial partners to
leverage finance and construct more dwellings than they would have been able to do through
government grants alone.

Noosa Shire is fortunate to have an active housing company, although the dwellings able to be
provided in Noosa are significantly fewer than in less expensive areas across the north coast
region they serve. The cost of land in Noosa Shire continues to be a barrier. Charitable
organisations have also expressed hesitation to locate people on a temporary basis in supported
accommodation in Noosa Shire given that they are unlikely to be able to provide affordable exit
options for them to transition into permanent accommodation.

It will be important that Council continues to support housing providers in lobbying other levels
of government for the provision of supported and emergency accommodation, and government
land for the provision of such accommodation.

Council can presently influence the provision of low cost housing on the private market in
Queensland only through the provision of incentives. The success of these initiatives in
Queensland has yet to be proven, and may be more difficult to achieve in Noosa Shire because of
land price. However it is possible that a small increase in dwellings able to be owned by or head-
leased to a charitable organisation or housing company may occur should such provisions be
included in the New Noosa Plan.

It may also be possible for Council to support the activities of the housing company and other
providers in delivering community housing and affordable rental accommodation. It is
understood that other ways of promoting the supply of more affordable housing will be
investigated as part of the implementation of the Social Strategy 2015.

Council already reduces development application fees and infrastructure charges for not-for-
profit organisations such as community housing.


 Recommended Actions for Consideration:

    43. The importance of housing providers be recognised in meeting future affordable housing needs
         in Noosa Shire and strategic partnerships be formed which may promote their objectives.

    44. Appropriate incentives be considered for development applications which include a minimum




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