This is a shout out to all those people trying to alleviate the affordable housing shortage in the Shire. Firstly, thanks to the owners of properties that have a secondary dwelling or studio that is being used, as intended, for long-term housing. Any urban approvals for these dwellings from 2011 to 2019 had the fees waived and the condition attached that they were never to be used for short-term rental accommodation, not 180 days, 90 days or even one day.
Secondly, thanks to those homeowners who are able to and willing to charge fair rent. I recently ran into a retired schoolteacher who has worked tirelessly in the community. Her house in Bangalow is rented for $450 a week to long-term tenants. She has no intention of raising the rent.
I know this is replicated to various degrees all over the shire. It would be great to hear some more good news stories regarding landlords and real estate agents whose priorities are providing a home to local residents rather than excessive economic gain.
Of course, most of them wouldn’t want their name in lights. They feel content with the knowledge they have helped those in need of somewhere to live. This surpasses any satisfaction that could be gained from high returns on an STRA investment property.
Meanwhile, Alloggio purchases ‘A Perfect Stay’ for $11M in the same month that the state government meets with the STRA lobby. The government then intervenes at the 11th hour to prevent Byron Council having the final say on the implementation of a 90-day cap on non-hosted STRA. You have to wonder….
For four decades The Echo has printed the stories some people loved, some people hated, and some pretended not to read. If you want us to keep telling the truth, the real truth, not the sugar-coated version. We’ll need your support to keep the presses rolling. 
