Sydney’s Plans for Affordable Housing Deemed Inadquate

Sydney’s Plans for Affordable Housing Deemed Inadquate

BY LANI OATAWAY

Sydney’s plans to tackle the housing affordability crisis have been criticised as inadequate.

Spearheaded by Lucy Turnbull, the Greater Sydney Commission will release six draft District Plans later this month mapping areas that will be rezoned to include affordable housing.

A report by Fairfax Media reveals the plans will require that higher density developments set aside 5-10% of housing for low income earners.

But the lead organiser of advocacy group Sydney Alliance, David Barrow, sees these targets as a missed opportunity.

“New South Wales can do better and make sure everyone gets a home and a fair go. It has the strongest economy and the strongest budget position of any state in Australia,” he said.

The Sydney Alliance has advocated for inclusionary zoning for more than two years. They have called for affordable housing to be earmarked on 15% of all new developments on private land and 30% on Crown land.

NSW Greens Spokesperson for Housing and Homelessness, Jenny Leong MP, welcomes the GSC’s strategy but argues the reported target does not go far enough.

“It’s a positive step that NSW government bodies are finally recognising that inclusionary zoning has a role to play in addressing Sydney’s housing affordability crisis, but targets need to be much more ambitious if they are going to have any real impact,” she said.

The GSC’s projected requirements pale in comparison to other global cities’ zoning measures. CEO of the NSW Federation of Housing Associations, Wendy Hayhurst, points to global role models for ambitious affordable housing targets. “Looking to similar policies, as operated in comparable cities like London and New York, the Federation will continue to argue for higher figures [here],” she said.

Ms Leong MP also praised international cities’ steps toward affordable housing, claiming, “London already has good affordable housing targets and new Mayor Sadiq Khan says he wants to increase them to 50%. Similar targets are being discussed in New York. Paltry 5% targets in Sydney just aren’t enough.”

In the face of the reported targets for Sydney, Associate Director of the UNSW City Futures Research Centre, Hal Pawson, is optimistic the targets will start a trend.

Mr Pawson said, “5-10% of a new development doesn’t sound like a large figure but it is a lot higher than the current expectation – zero!

“Depending on the policy details, it is possible that they will set a new standard for Australia, challenging other states and territories to equal the NSW Government’s innovation,” he said.

The reported targets have garnered backlash from development lobby groups, which condemn the GSC’s proposals as triggering higher house prices and pushing developers into other states.

CEO of property development advocacy group Urban Taskforce, Chris Johnson, brands inclusionary zoning as “a tax on new housing development.”

Urban Taskforce proposes a relaxation on height and density limits as the key to the affordability puzzle.

“With a lifting in the incentives thousands of affordable housing homes can be built in metropolitan Sydney,” said Mr Johnson.

A Greater Sydney Commission spokesperson told City Hub, “The GSC has been considering a range of approaches to increase housing supply and improve affordability… Any mechanisms should be careful not to hinder supply outcomes but also increase diversity of choice.  It’s very important to get the balance right.”

The Greater Sydney Commission’s draft District Plans will be on exhibition later this month.

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