After the floods, the wonderful folk of the One Roof Byron team identified an unoccupied, but apparently structurally sound dwelling on flood-free Council land. In September they presented a solid proposal to Council, offering to manage the dwelling for tenants needing affordable housing.
Additionally they proposed to build and manage a number of affordable tiny homes that could be co-located on the large block, supporting the tenants with permaculture gardens. One Roof Byron has a solid track record on delivering affordable housing. It has built, and manages, one Tiny Home and also manages another house occupied by a family who would otherwise be homeless. Although ORB’s proposal was rejected, Council gave the following positive undertakings. First, that Council will audit its owned or managed properties (many more than the one identified by ORB) for use as crisis and transitional accommodation. Second, that Council will streamline their processes for considering Temporary Supported Accommodation on Council land, in line with amendments to State Environmental Planning Policy. As we all know, there is still a huge unmet need for affordable housing in Byron Shire. In these times of fast-growing and changing crises, creative, ‘can do’ local initiatives are often able to move faster and more responsively than less adaptable bureaucracies. It’s time for all our bureaucracies to simplify, streamline, ‘think outside of boxes’ and become supportive partners.
Six months have passed since Council gave the above welcome undertakings. Let’s hear some progress!
