Hume City Council has drafted a Housing Diversity Strategy that responds to the housing needs of diverse families, with 39 per cent of Hume homes having one or two people but only 10 per cent of houses having one and two bedrooms.
Hume Mayor, Councillor Carly Moore said the draft Housing Diversity Strategy, which was endorsed for community consultation in the Council chamber this week, would be a step forward to providing a solution for Hume's housing needs now and into the future.
"There is a signficant gap in housing stock available in Hume, which could be impacting housing affordability as couples, families and friends who want to live in our municipality and most importantly, close to their community, are faced with limited choice," Cr Moore said.
"Some residents may feel that they have no choice but to live in a larger home, even if they don't need one or want one.
"Consider a couple in their 70s who want to stay in their own neighbourhood and close to those people who are important to them but can no longer manage and maintain a four-bedroom home with stairs or a large garden.
"At this point in time, there may not be the housing options available to them. They may prefer a one or two-bedroom home that would better suit their lifestyle needs but they simply aren't on the market – to rent or buy.
"The same goes for a first-home buyer, who wants to enter the property market and doesn't want to commit to property beyond their financial means.
"This draft Housing Diversity Strategy considers Hume's future housing needs and outlines how a more diverse range of housing – including one or two-bedroom homes, townhouses and apartments – can be encouraged.
The draft Housing Diversity Strategy identifies 'high' and 'moderate' areas for smaller dwellings, such as the Sunbury, Craigieburn and Broadmeadows town centres where people can easily access jobs, public transport, shops and services.
It also identifies which areas are less suitable for new housing, where the location may not be near these services. It will be a means for Council to manage the location of new housing arising from the growth of greater Melbourne and specifically, Hume City.
Cr Moore said the draft Housing Diversity Strategy would be open for feedback next month and encouraged the community to have their say on it.
"When reading the strategy and providing your feedback, I particularly encourage you to think about what your housing needs will be today and over the next 15 years as your family grows and your needs change," Cr Moore said.
