Families are having to uproot their lives as one of the major issues facing the Byron Shire is increasingly the inability for many to find housing that is reasonably priced.
As the rich move in, the poor and the not-so-poor are priced out . The lack of affordable housing in the Byron Shire has prompted Byron Shire Council to look at ways it can address the problem.
Council is seeking information from people about new projects and different approaches to the issue and is now calling for Expressions of Interest (EOI) for affordable housing on land in the Byron Shire.
The EOI is targeting proposals for small, medium and large-scale project ideas in villages and towns in the Byron Shire.
‘We all know the challenges for many members of our community to continue to afford to live here,’ says Byron Shire Mayor, Simon Richardson. ‘Byron Shire Council is keen to investigate new solutions for our community.’
Richardson says council is looking for expressions of interest from people who have ideas about affordable housing solutions, or who may want to form partnerships with land owners, the private sector, or community housing providers.
‘Even if you do not have a particular housing proposal in mind, but you think your land could be suitable Council would welcome your EOI for consideration, he said.
Byron Shire Council is not seeking detailed planning proposals, rather it wants concept ideas that allow staff to gather ideas about innovative ways to approach the lack of supply of affordable housing.
‘The aim is to deliver long term affordable housing solutions in the Byron Shire and our council is determined to put its hand up to be a leader in this area,’ he said.
Expressions of interest should contain a brief overview of the housing project including the core values and principles underpinning the reason for interest in this area.
The closing date for Expressions of Interest is 12 September 2017.
For more information go to http://www.byron.nsw.gov.au/expressions-of-interest or call Natalie Hancock on 6626 7169.
Perhaps the BSC should make some rules about Short term rentals
And laws on bed tax and safety of rental premises !
We might get some of our houses back into long term rental situations.
Jenny you are a real estate agent, Airbnb and the like are your competition. Management is the key regardless of long or short term rental. Let’s not disadvantage the one property owner trying to survive in Byron. Bad behavior can come from not only owners living at the property as well as long or short term renters. Safety is important in any type of accommodation. Good management is the key regarding behavior, selection of renters and strict house rules. People renting out their only home or rooms within their home are helping prevent high rise and the destruction of a very special place. We don’t need another Gold Coast. Principle home owners care more about their property as it is the only one they have, are naturally more particular about house rules and who they choose.
The supply of affordable housing in this very popular area is up to the government to supply commission homes scattered around all areas of Byron.
There is no solution for ‘affordable housing’ because frankly there is no such thing. You can either afford a house or you can’t . If the average house price was as low as $200,000 some people still wouldn’t be able to afford to purchase, and believe it or not, there are places where you can buy a house for around that price that are not in the Back of Bourke. I have been to some of these places and when you read their local news there are articles about ‘affordable housing’. I was recently in Grafton where I could have bought a fabulous house with a pool for under $350,000. So it is a demographic (or geographic) issue as well as a ‘supply and demand’ issue. In Byron Shire it is about supply and demand because it is a ‘destination’ for cashed up city refugees and investors. It is not going to change here and houses are not going to get any cheaper.
The natural progressive flow of money will always dictate the balance of communities and no planning efforts will ever change the balance!