The resources and guidance in the Affordable Housing National Leading Practice Guide and Tool Kit is not designed to be relied upon. Users of the guide should consider the individual circumstances of each project or policy and utilise other resources.
The collection of data on various indicators of the housing characteristics and trends in the local area or region provide the evidence base for deciding upon the most appropriate affordable housing strategy for your area. If a clear picture of your local market has not emerged at this point, or if any outstanding issues have been identified, you may decide that further research or consultation is needed.
In drawing your key conclusions useful initial questions to consider are:
- Is there a reasonable balance between housing supply and demand across tenures?
- Is the housing that is being provided both affordable and appropriate?
If the answer to either question is no, then it is important to develop some strategies to address these issues.
Answers to the more detailed set of questions below will then help to identify appropriate responses when developing broader housing strategies and strategies that are particularly designed to promote affordable housing through the planning process (discussed in the next section):
- Is a large amount of new housing likely to be required to meet forecast demand, or regional housing targets and affordability goals?
- Is the existing housing stock/land supply a good match for the demographic profile of the area?
- Is there a particular group who are missing out?
- Has there been a marked loss of low priced stock in recent times?
- Are there large concentrations of low-income households in the area?
- Is affordability a major concern?
The table below shows various results that might have emerged from a local housing market analysis in different types of market situations, and matches them with issues to consider in relation to the existing planning framework for the area.
From housing needs analysis to assessing the planning framework (Table 6 in PDF)
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Housing needs and market analysis |
Assessing your planning framework |
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Need for new housing due to forecast increase in households and or population |
Does your planning framework provide for a sufficient supply of residential land (for 10–15 years)?
Is there a need to identify new housing opportunities by rezoning suitable land for residential uses or higher density residential development in appropriate locations (near transport and services)? |
|
Need for larger/smaller dwellings, or adaptable/accessible dwellings due to changing demographic profile and household size, for example:
|
Given existing residential development opportunities, is there a need to change zones or development controls to encourage:
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appropriate residential lot sizes to meet projected housing need and promote housing diversity?
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a sufficient new supply of larger or smaller dwellings?
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a sufficient supply of well located housing suitable for seniors? |
|
Need for additional housing for projected population increase associated with forecast economic/employment trends, for example:
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anticipated new industrial development
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growth in service sector
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ageing population and need for aged care services
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seasonal employment trends. |
Given the existing supply of residential land, is there a need to identify new housing opportunities by rezoning for residential uses or higher density residential development in appropriate locations?
Is there a need for additional seasonal housing opportunities, such as well located and serviced caravan parks, manufactured home estates, or zoning provisions allowing the development of temporary/permanent employee housing on specified sites?
Do you need to introduce special mechanisms to encourage or generate dedicated affordable housing supply for this sector? |
|
Proportion of population on very low incomes experiencing housing stress or at risk of housing stress, including:
|
Is there a need to protect important sources of low-cost, semi-permanent accommodation from the threat of closure, or introduce impact mitigation measures?
Does your planning framework encourage or permit the development of new forms of low-cost, short term housing, like boarding houses or caravan parks?
Does your planning framework encourage or require new dedicated affordable housing supply? |
|
High spatial concentrations of people on low incomes, who may be at risk of social marginalisation or exclusion, for example:
|
Is there an opportunity to encourage the renewal of these areas, through planning incentives that provide for affordable housing and mixed tenure development?
Is there a need to protect existing sources of low-cost rental accommodation or introduce impact mitigation strategies? |
|
Loss or shortage of low-cost rental housing stock and declining housing affordability, such as:
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loss of low-cost rental housing opportunities such as boarding houses, rental flats, older housing stock, caravan parks, manufactured housing estates
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loss or potential of lower-cost home purchase opportunities due to forecast increase in housing demand, due to population increase or likely process of urban renewal or gentrification
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shortage of social housing opportunities (e.g. public or community housing, relative to demand) |
Is there an adequate supply of serviced residential land or redevelopment opportunities (subject to local capacity)?
Do you need to review the affordability impact of your development controls?
Is a wide diversity of housing forms are permissible in as many well located areas as possible?
Does your planning framework allow and encourage more affordable and diverse housing types, such as mixed commercial/residential development?
Does your planning framework contain protective mechanisms for existing sources of low priced housing stock?
Is there an opportunity to introduce planning incentives for affordable housing development?
Is there an opportunity to negotiate planning agreements for affordable housing, on a voluntary basis?
Is there an opportunity to introduce requirements for affordable housing contributions in defined circumstances? |
Source: Adapted from the Local Government Housing Kit, Centre for Affordable Housing, NSW Department of Housing.
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