The Byron Shire Council says a proposed Memorandum of Understanding with the state’s housing department will focus on more social and affordable housing.
Councillors voted unanimously in support of the mayor’s motion for staff to start developing the MOU at their first meeting for the year last month.
Mayor Sarah Ndiaye says the MOU won’t be legally binding, rather, a shared commitment between the council and Homes NSW.
Councillor Ndiaye says the two government bodies will exchange information and identify opportunities for affordable and social housing in the shire.
The MOU is to provide a clear framework for discussions including development models and funding.
The mayor says the old Mullumbimby Hospital is an example of a project the MOU could help inform.
The council says the MOU proposal adds to a list of efforts to address housing in the Byron Shire over the past decade and outlined the following examples in last week’s announcement:
- establishing a Community Housing Trust;
- implementing a 60-day cap on short term rental accommodation;
- adoption of a developer contributions framework to support affordable outcomes;
- and collaboration with community housing providers to deliver new housing supply.
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