The 2011 Strategy has been prepared in response to increasing interest from government agencies toward affordable housing initiatives for the Tamworth Regional Local Government Area.
It will build on existing relationships and activities between government agencies and local stakeholders while investigating new initiatives and approaches to better target existing resources and inform new partnerships for the future housing development.
It will also assist local projects by harnessing finance available from State or Commonwealth Governments to pursue infrastructure works to support housing of this nature.
Consultation
A series of workshops with key agency stakeholders and community participants were conducted in October 2010 to identify opportunities and constraints within the current local housing market.
An ‘Affordable Housing Scoping Paper 2010’ was prepared and distributed at the workshops providing an overview of the affordable and social housing issues occurring within the region, identification of relevant target groups, and opportunities to increase the supply of affordable housing.
A ‘Consultation Paper’ was later developed outlining the consultation findings, key issues and future opportunities. The consultation process has captured a large amount of information that has defined many of the actions listed within the Strategy.
Implementation of the Strategy
Many of the tasks listed in the Strategy’s Action Plan, will require a lead input from Council while being complimented with further actions at a State and Federal Government level.
Action Plan
Council will oversee the implementation and monitoring of the Strategy’s Action Plan which will be reviewed on an annual basis to ensure all actions are being undertaken within the required timeframes and to measure the effectiveness in addressing local housing needs.
The annual review process will provide an opportunity to align current actions with new and existing initiatives and provide a current framework for submission to relevant authorities for funding opportunities. The Strategy will link closely with Council’s other planning responsibilities and processes in particular Council’s Social (Community) Plan 2006 and the Keychange Project (Community Strategic Plan).
Tamworth Regional Affordable Housing Strategy
NSW Government Affordable Housing Information
Information on Affordable Housing in NSW is located on the Housing NSW Centre for Affordable Housing website: www.housing.nsw.gov.au
Information on the NSW Government's State Environmental Planning Policy (Affordable Rental Housing) 2009 can be located on the Department of Planning and Infrastructure website www.planning.nsw.gov.au along with fact sheets on: Granny Flats; New Generation Boarding Houses; Social Housing Providers; Group Homes.