Council is inviting public feedback on the Greater Shepparton Affordable Housing Strategy until 2 December 2019.
The Strategy's purpose is twofold, giving Council a strong evidence base to support advocacy for funding from the State and Federal Governments, and exploring actions that Council can take to grow supply of the housing types that are needed in Greater Shepparton.
Housing need in Greater Shepparton is widespread and pressing. Our municipality has the highest level of homelessness of any regional city in Victoria, at 5.56 homeless persons per 1,000 people. Over 2,700 households on low incomes are in housing stress, going without food, clothing, medicine or heating to pay for their rent or mortgage. And although single-person households make up 25 per cent of the population, only three per cent of housing stock has one bedroom.
Shortages of suitable housing stock are affecting more and more people, including families with children (especially single parents), young people, older people, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and new migrants, as well as single people. Housing shortages are impacting health and well-being, and economic performance measures across the municipality.
Greater Shepparton City Council Mayor, Cr Seema Abdullah said "Council is keen to take advantage of recent changes to the Planning and Environment Act 1987 that enable broader action by Council. Council will continue to pursue every avenue to gain funding for Affordable Housing, and to support local organisations working in the housing provision sector," she said.
"These changes increase Council's capacity to negotiate for Affordable Housing through its role as Planning Authority; we're breaking new ground with this Strategy, and we need input from the community to make the most of this opportunity," said Cr Abdullah.
