Local government can promote better housing outcomes through activities that are within their domain to direct. As discussed in the The Scope of a Local Housing Strategy section of this Kit, these activities can encompass strategic planning, the regulation of housing supply and form, infrastructure planning and pricing policies, rate setting and community service delivery. The exercise of these functions can create opportunities for additional housing, guide the form of housing in response to needs, and influence the cost of production and the availability of services.
Some local governments already have housing policies in place, such as Canada Bay and Port Macquarie.
Others include affordable housing clauses in their Local Environmental Plans, such as Blue Mountains Council, Waverely (in their Bondi Junction Centre LEP) and Randwick Council.
Many of the activities undertaken by local government, particularly their urban planning and community services functions, already have a significant impact on housing outcomes. Undertaken strategically, these functions can help local government to address the housing needs of the whole community. See the Housing Kit’s companion document on Using Planning and Planning Mechanisms for Affordable Housing.