NSW Labor has promised to provide affordable housing on 25 per cent of any government-owned land being developed, and 15 per cent on privately developed land.
Tweed MP Justine Elliott said the measures would help tackle the growing housing affordability crisis facing the Tweed Shire and the North Coast region.
She met with NSW Shadow Minister for Social Housing Tania Mihailuk yesterday to outline Labor’s commitment to providing housing for low income families.
‘In addition to Federal Labor’s recently announced reforms to negative gearing that will limit the benefit to new housing stock, as well as halving capital gains discounts, NSW Labor has proposed a comprehensive affordable housing policy that will generate new affordable housing properties to rent and purchase for those on very low, low and moderate incomes,’ Ms Elliott said.
Ms Elliott said across the Tweed and wider north coast, more than 3000 people were faced with a decade long wait for housing, while up to 20 per cent of NSW’s rough sleepers were believed to be living on the north coast.
‘Under Labor’s policy, at least 25 per cent of new properties constructed on government-owned land will be set aside as affordable housing for families and young people who are struggling to get a home,’ she said.
‘In addition, 15 per cent of new properties arising from rezoning on private land will also be set aside as affordable housing.
Shadow Minister for Social Housing Tania Mihailuk said that Labor’s policy would give families and young people on low and moderate incomes access to an affordable home.
‘Labor’s visionary policy of inclusionary zoning will ensure that those individuals and families on very low, low and moderate incomes have access to stable and affordable housing,’ Ms Mihailuk said
‘Over 3,000 applicants across the North Coast are languishing on a decades long waiting list for a social housing property, Labor’s policy will ensure that these vulnerable people have access to a home that they can afford.
‘While the Berejiklian Government continues to sell off social housing to developers and investors, Labor has prioritised sensible measures which will greatly increase the supply of affordable and social housing in the Tweed and throughout NSW.’
Meanwhile, Ms Elliott accused the Liberals and Nationals of neglecting the north coast.
