City makes progress toward boosting supply of affordable housing

A planning proposal designed to increase the supply of affordable housing across the city was endorsed by Councillors for the next steps at Tuesday's Ordinary Council Meeting.

City of Newcastle's (CN) Affordable Housing Contributions Scheme Planning Proposal sets out how contributions would be levied on new developments across the Local Government Area (LGA) by introducing affordable housing provisions into the Newcastle Local Environmental Plan (NLEP 2012).

The planning proposal seeks to amend NLEP 2012 to give effect to the Newcastle Affordable Housing Contributions Scheme. It will allow CN to impose conditions of consent on new developments for contributions towards affordable housing.

This significant step recognises the important role affordable housing plays in Newcastle's social infrastructure, with affordably priced housing critical to the health and wellbeing of people and their families.

Increasing the supply of affordable housing in Newcastle is a key priority. This is outlined in CN's Local Housing Strategy 2020, Housing Policy and is consistent with the strategic direction of the Newcastle 2040 Community Strategic Plan.

With the latest forecasts showing the population is set to increase by 41,150 residents to 202,050 by 2041 in the Newcastle LGA, stimulating demand for almost 20,000 new dwellings, CN has committed to implementing an affordable housing contributions scheme.

To help achieve this, CN's Housing Policy sets out a 15 per cent affordable housing target.

Councillors endorsed the planning proposal to be forwarded to the Department of Planning and Environment for Gateway determination before it is publicly exhibited.