Council begins study for Lilydale Social Housing Project
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Yarra Ranges Council is running a feasibility study on a proposal for affordable housing for older women and people with a disability in Lilydale, following conversations with the community.
Councillors endorsed Housing First, in partnership with Melba Support Services, as Council’s social housing advisors during the feasibility study, ata recent meeting.
Housing First will work alongside Six Degrees Architects to undertake the study.
The study, which will run until mid-November, will look at different densities for the site at 67-69 Anderson Street, such as having 12-20 units on the site, and other issues such as vegetation and traffic.
Yarra Ranges Mayor, Tony Stevenson, said that, if the project goes ahead, it would provide vital housing for people with disability and older single women who are at high risk of homelessness.
“These are two groups in our community who are at high risk of housing stress and being in insecure housing, and finding stable alternatives in this area is not easy or affordable,” Cr Stevenson said.
“We’re committed to doing what we can to increase housing affordability, and this is a great opportunity to explore using Council-owned land for suitable housing developments that will help some of the most vulnerable members of our community.
“We’re also advocating for reforms to the state planning policies, so affordable housing must be included in large-scale developments.
“This feasibility study will give us concept plans for the site, will look at reducing the scale of development, address parking and traffic issues and protecting the heritage and significant trees, giving us a full picture of what can be done with this block.”
The feasibility study’s first stage began in mid-February, with a physical assessment of the site and the traffic needs around it and Arborist and geotechnical investigations.
Cr Stevenson said consultation will be a key part of the feasibility study and residents will be given opportunities to understand the project in more detail and learn about social housing and wider housing issues in Yarra Ranges that affect many people.
“Affordable housing is an important issue right across the state, and we’re not immune to it in the Yarra Ranges,” Cr Stevenson said.
“This site gives us a good opportunity to investigate providing high-quality, well-designed housing for vulnerable people in our community, close to public transport, services, shops and parks.
“We’re looking forward to working with Housing First, Melba Support Services and our consultant Six Degrees and getting some more information and concepts back to the community about mid-year.”
After the study has finished, the proposal will return to Council to determine what’s next.
The feasibility study is funded by a State Government Social Housing Investment Planning (SHIP) grant.
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Why is Council considering social housing for 67-69 Anderson Street? Why is Council considering social housing for 67-69 Anderson Street? Yarra Ranges had a 38 per cent shortfall in low cost rental housing in 2014. Without action, this shortfall is predicted to increase to 44 per cent by 2036. Rents in Yarra Ranges have traditionally been lower than the rest of metropolitan Melbourne. Now, the percentage of affordable lettings in Yarra Ranges is the same as the rest of Melbourne, at about 5 per cent. This site provides a great opportunity to explore using Council-owned land for suitable housing developments that will help some of the most vulnerable members of our community. What is social housing? What is social housing? Social housing provides rental housing at below market rates to people on low to moderate incomes. Social housing includes public housing, community housing and state owned Indigenous housing. The proposed type of housing for 67-69 Anderson Street is community housing. Why do we need social housing? Why do we need social housing? Having a roof over your head is essential to a person’s good health and wellbeing. But not all Australians have the same access to safe and affordable housing. Compared to other Council areas in Victoria, Yarra Ranges has a low proportion of social housing that can meet the needs of the community. What is Council doing about social housing in the area? What is Council doing about social housing in the area? In partnership with six other Councils, Yarra Ranges Council advocates to state and federal governments through the Eastern Affordable Housing Alliance. In particular, the Alliance advocates for a percentage of dwellings in new large subdivisions to be allocated to affordable housing, including social housing. Will this project impact traffic in the area? Will this project impact traffic in the area? A traffic and parking study will be done as part of the feasibility study. This may lead to recommendations to improve the surrounding roads, pathways and parking. Will I be able to have my say on the project designs? Will I be able to have my say on the project designs? Yes. A draft design will be ready by July 2019. How will my feedback be used? How will my feedback be used? Once consultation opens on the draft design, feedback will be considered to help to refine the final design. When will the feasibility study finish? When will the feasibility study finish? The study will be finished around August, and will then be considered by Council by September/October.