Boarding houses continue to play a key role in providing affordable accommodation for many people on lower incomes.
The State Environmental Planning Policy (Affordable Rental Housing) 2009 makes important provisions for encouraging 'new generation' boarding house developments. Consult the Department of Planning's fact sheet Supporting Affordable Rental Housing- New Generation Boarding Houses (PDF file) for more information on the SEPP. Click here for more information on available resources for boarding house development.
The NSW Government also has various mechanisms in place to encourage the retention of boarding house accommodation:
- State Environmental Policy (Affordable Rental Housing) 2009 incorporates the provisions of the former State Environmental Policy 10 (Retention of Low Cost Rental Accommodation) to levy developments to mitigate the loss of low cost rental accommodation. Many of the principles and practices developed over the 25 year operation of SEPP10 remain relevant and are reflected in the provisions of Part 3 of the Affordable Rental Housing SEPP. Part 3 is concerned with retaining existing affordable housing and mitigating its loss when redevelopments occur. The Minister for Planning has issued a direction under section 94G of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act requiring the consent authority, upon receiving the contribution from the applicant, to transfer it to the Chief Executive, Housing NSW, Department of Family & Community Services. Provisions have been made to channel these contributions through the Boarding House Financial Assistance Program back into low cost accommodation (see below). Contributions are to be directed t
The Chief Executive
Housing NSW
Department of Family & Community Services
Locked Bag 4001
Ashfield BC NSW 1800
As well as the contribution amount, correspondence must provide the address of the proposed development, the Development Application number, the nature of the development application, and a contact person should further information be required.
- The Centre for Affordable Housing manages the Boarding House Financial Assistance Program for Housing NSW, which offers grants to boarding house owners for fire safety upgrading. This Program was initiated in 1997 to improve the financial viability of eligible boarding houses and has provided owners with grants for fire safety upgrading.
Following a review of the Program, and in recognition of the need to retain the boarding house sector as a source of low cost housing, Housing NSW is considering expanding the Program to provide financial assistance to developers of ‘new generation’ boarding houses that provide self contained boarding rooms, whether in new projects or as extensions to existing boarding houses. Responsibility for administration of the Program lies with the Centre for Affordable Housing.
Further details about the expanded Program are under development and will be published on this web site. The Fire Safety component of the Program will continue unaffected.
- The Government also encourages retention of boarding house accommodation through the Office of State Revenue’s land tax exemption for boarding houses. Application forms for exemption can be downloaded from the Office of State Revenue web site.
Some Local Councils also make specific provision for boarding houses in their Development Control Plans, such as City of Sydney, Burwood and Waverley.
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