3.1 Council benchmark the provision of rental housing for low income households and monitor progress Social and Economic Planning That Council set a general benchmark for rental affordability, based on rental affordability for couples with two children on low household income, using the residual income housing affordability measure developed for this purpose. Council annually monitor achievement of the benchmark. 3.2 Council develop a range of incentives to Encourage affordable rental housing development Land Use Planning That Council develop a range of incentives that can be used to encourage affordable rental housing such as: Reduction of car parking standards due to access to public transport, where applicable Building density offers where an increased density with a building will not compromise local amenity 3.3 Council promote the development of and access to affordable rental housing for low income households Inform and Engage That Council provide information on and promote development in the Established East and Established West areas outside the activity centres. Small scale developments include dividing dwellings or redeveloping a site with two or more dwellings, in keeping with the surrounding areas. Facilitate and Partner That Council work with registered housing associations to develop proposals and submissions for increasing affordable rental housing in the municipality, particularly through the National Rental Affordability Scheme. A design competition for rental housing development to demonstrate the social and financial viability of affordable housing projects be sponsored by Council, in conjunction with other interface councils, the Department of Planning and Community Development, and Places Victoria. Council facilitate a forum for community sector organisations and local real estate agents to foster better understanding of the needs and issues regarding access to and maintenance of private rental housing. Advocacy That Council lobby the Commonwealth government to place restrictions on the negative gearing taxation provisions so that investment in rental housing is directed towards the construction of dwellings for households on low and moderate incomes. That Council lobby the Commonwealth government for continued funding of the National Rental Affordability Scheme.
4.1 Council set and monitor a target for the provision of an affordable house price for moderate income households Social and Economic Planning That Council set a general benchmark for house purchase affordability, based on house purchase affordability for couples with 2 children on a moderate household income using the residual income housing affordability measure developed for this purpose. Council annually monitor achievement against this benchmark. 4.2 Council seek to achieve house purchase affordability in the private market Inform and Engage That Council consult with developers and builders regarding the affordability target and ways in which this might be achieved. That Council proactively promote its affordable housing strategy through briefing sessions, forums and kits with the private housing construction and development sector. Strategic Action 5: Developing housing that matches the needs of the diverse population The Population growth in Whittlesea is predicted across all age groups with particular emphasis on people between 25 and 44 years of age, the family formation and growth years, and older people. This population growth is occurring at the same time as the decline in the size of the average household. Also, community agencies reported great difficulty finding adequate affordable housing for singles, couples and large families and older low income people. The audit of community housing indicated that there is limited housing for people with a disability and only 20 dwellings with four or more bedrooms, with the majority of stock being 3 bedroom. At the same time across the municipality there is a lack of housing stock of less than 3 bedrooms. Strategic Action Council’s Role Activity 5.1 Council encourage the development of housing that is adaptable for people at different life stages and abilities Inform and Engage That Council promote housing that incorporates universal housing standards and adaptable housing standards to ensure housing is appropriate for older persons and people with a disability. Adaptable housing standards must comply with Australian Standard AS4299 1995. 5.2 Council encourage the development of housing for the diverse households in the municipality Advocacy That Council advocate to the Office of Housing for more public housing in the municipality, particularly 2-bedroom dwellings for older persons and people with disabilities. That Council advocate to the Office of Housing and to registered housing associations for more 4 bedrooms dwellings to accommodate very large families.