Housing goals are broad statements of intent, focussed on addressing the problems and harnessing the opportunities identified in the problem statement, and providing an overall direction to orientate more specific, practical and measurable housing objectives. An example might be where the analysis of the housing market shows that not enough housing choices exist to satisfy different needs and demand, then a housing goal might be “to support successful communities through housing choice, affordability, adaptability, accessibility and sustainability”.
The NSW Government’s Sydney Metropolitan Strategy recognises this when it seeks to “enhance Sydney’s liveability, by ensuring a diverse choice of housing for an ageing and changing population, close to services, while protecting the character of our suburbs and communities.”
Regional strategies for NSW also recognise this fundamental aim. For example, the Vision for the Draft South Coast Regional Strategy seeks to achieve “communities [that] are supported by a range of housing and employment opportunities with access to vibrant well serviced centres. New development encourages community interaction and cohesion.”
Without a mix of appropriate and affordable housing, communities cannot accommodate the range of people needed to maintain social cohesion, support the functioning of local economies, or sustain local services and businesses. For example, a shortage of affordable accommodation will limit the ability of a local area to attract the essential workers who maintain transport services, medical support facilities, schools, local council utilities, and child care. In every locale, a variety of housing types, tenures and costs is needed to achieve the concentration and diversity of people that support a full range of local services and facilities.
More important still is the contribution housing makes to community cohesion. Without a suitable range of housing, some households or whole segments of the community may be forced to move elsewhere if their needs or financial position change. Young people leaving home, or couples starting a family, for example, can feel these effects, whilst older people who are no longer able to maintain their existing homes may need to move somewhere smaller, possibly cheaper and with better access to essential services. In the same way, a lack of housing diversity can work to exclude entire sections of the population from particular locations. This leads to spatial concentrations of disadvantage and the polarisation of society.