Council announces commitment to make housing more affordable

Published on 06 October 2021

Affordable Housing Policy
A policy that will guide and facilitate the provision of affordable housing on public and private land through appropriate and effective advocacy, decision making and facilitation was adopted by Hume City Council recently. 
 
Developed in response to current and future housing needs identified in the Affordable Housing in Hume report, the Affordable Housing Policy will guide and inform all Council decisions and actions on affordable housing in Hume.
 
Historically, Hume has had comparatively good levels of housing affordability within the Melbourne metropolitan context, but this is eroding at a rapid rate by rising costs of property relative to household incomes.  

Rising property and rental prices and the community’s relative disadvantage to access secure, full time and well-paid employment have reduced housing options across Hume. 

Currently, 6,000 new homes are required in Victoria every year for the next 10 years to satisfy the social housing needs (based on the national average that 4.5% of all households require social housing. 

The Affordable Housing Policy, adopted by Council at its meeting on Monday 27 September, aims to:  

  • advocate for redevelopment of existing public housing, continued record investment beyond the Big Housing Build, inclusionary zoning and affordable housing on surplus government land
  • work with developers and housing providers to release affordable housing as part of new developments  
  • explore how surplus Council land can be developed for affordable housing. 

Council will advocate for substantial increased investment by the Federal and State Governments to deliver 10 per cent of all new dwelling builds in Victoria as affordable housing. 

Hume City Council Mayor, Councillor Joseph Haweil said:  

“Access to safe, secure and affordable housing is a right that should be afforded to all of our residents and is a critical issue that all three levels of government need to work as genuine partners to address.” 

“Council will continue to advocate for the importance and urgency of redeveloping existing public housing sites in Hume, with a priority for those sites in southern Hume, including a commitment to redevelop the Banksia Gardens housing estate.” 

“The State Government’s Big Housing Build is yet to deliver funding for Broadmeadows, an area the State Government has identified as a ‘priority local government areas’ and in need of urgent social housing investment.” 

For more information visit: hume.vic.gov.au/affordable-housing-policy