Perth, Australia Affordable Housing

Type: Policy
Status: Adopted on 2/19/08
Source File: http://www.perth.wa.gov.au/policy/6.17.pdf
Text:
FILE NO. P1001740
POLICY NO: 6.17
STRATEGIC GOALS
The City of Perth recognises that affordable housing is an integral part of creating
cities that are:
1. Socially just - inclusive, liveable places which encourage and support
participation by all people in social, educational, economic and cultural
activity.
2. Economically efficient - engaging businesses and citizens in participating
and supporting a competitive and diverse economy including key workers to
provide essential city functions.
3. Environmentally and socially sustainable - designing houses that are
environmentally friendly and are responsive to privacy, safety, universal
design and community development issues.
4. Diverse and vibrant - recognising that quality outcomes in the planning and
development of urban areas can only be achieved when the diverse and
changing needs of their citizens are understood and catered for.
OBJECTIVE
The City of Perth will increase levels of affordable, secure, appropriate and
accessible housing to:
* maintain the internationally recognised liveability of the City of Perth;
* maintain community diversity and prevent social polarisation into very rich and very poor areas;
* build inclusive and sustainable communities;
* maintain and enhance community engagement and the health and wellbeing of residents;
* protect the urban area from the negative effects of development pressures.
DEFINITIONS
Affordable housing as defined in this policy includes both affordable and social
housing.
Affordable housing is defined as housing which is reasonably adequate in
standard, safe, secure and appropriate to household needs and well located in
relation to services, employment and transport and location. It generally targets
low and middle income households on the lower 40% of the income distribution
scale and is regarded as affordable where the mortgage or rent is no more than
30% of that household’s income.
Social housing includes public, not for profit and some community housing
which is managed for the primary purpose of meeting social objectives such as
affordable rents, responsible management and security of tenure.
POLICY COMMITMENTS
In support of the affordable housing goals and objectives, the City of Perth is
committed to the following eight courses of action:
1. Continue to develop and expand the stock of public and community housing.
2. Encourage partnerships between the public and private sectors.
3. Pursue amendments to the planning system and develop planning policies
to encourage affordable housing.
4. Ensure the planning and design of affordable housing provides for
appropriate quality of design, cost, location and access to transport and
services, sustainability, tenure choice and social mix.
5. Continue to undertake research to identify housing affordability trends and
issues.
6. Continue to work with State Government departments and non-profit
housing organisations to provide affordable housing and housing services.
7. As a member of the Council of Capital City Lord Mayors (CCCLM) lobby the
Federal and State governments to initiate incentives for developers,
investors and landlords to provide affordable and accessible new housing for
people on low incomes.
8. As a CCCLM partner, advocate for the implementation of a National
Affordable Housing Agreement between the three tiers of government.
Category:Affordable Housing
Category:Councils
Category:Policies
Category:Western Australia