FAQs

Affordable housing is a type of regulated housing and is different from the concept of housing affordability. The following points are key factors that define affordable housing:

• Affordable housing is provided for very low-, low- and moderate-income households and is usually regulated by housing providers.
• Affordable housing is not crisis/social housing which is regulated by government agencies for very low- income households or people at risk of homelessness.
• Affordable housing is also not available on the open property market, instead managed by housing providers who coordinate tenancy.

For the purposes of this policy the definition of affordable housing under State and Local land use planning regulations is to be rented by very low to moderate income households (calculated based of median incomes for Greater Sydney) who pay no more than 30% of gross income on rent.

For more information refer to the following sections of the draft policy: 

Part 2.1 - Affordable Housing Definitions (p6-7)

Appendix A - Affordable Housing Definition (p20-21)

Housing affordability has been identified as a key concern for the community in various strategic council documents including the Blue Mountains Local Housing Strategy 2020. Over the past 4 years the cost of living has increased and the affordability of housing has continued to reduce. In 2022, to better understand the community’s need for affordable housing, Council undertook the Affordable Housing Review (the Review) and proposed some options to help facilitate the delivery of affordable housing in the Blue Mountains LGA. The Review was received by Council on 25 July 2023 and it was resolved to prepare an Affordable Housing Policy utilising options identified in the report.

The Affordable Housing Policy aims to provide Council with a framework to increase the affordable housing supply within the Blue Mountains through planning instruments, Council processes and governance arrangements.

For more information refer to the following sections of the draft policy: 

Part 1 - Policy background (p6-8)

As part of the Affordable Housing Review 2023, the use of council-owned land was identified as an option to help facilitate appropriate affordable housing development. The draft policy identifies that the use of appropriate council owned land could help facilitate affordable housing in collaboration with housing providers.

It is important to note that land available to support affordable housing within Councils asset portfolio is extremely limited and highly constrained. Due to the unique environmental constraints of the Blue Mountains and the need for well-located affordable housing close to services, there may be few opportunities for such development. However, if any land was to be identified as appropriate, development must be informed by the principles and actions of this policy to meet the needs and expectations of the community. 

For more information refer to the following sections of the draft policy: 

Part 1.3 - Policy Overview (p7-8)

Part 2.3.1 - Working with housing providers (p11-13)

Council Business Paper Report (Item 12, p105-110)

Tenancy arrangements for affordable rental housing developments informed by this policy would be coordinated by the housing provider managing the property. How tenancy is managed by community housing providers is regulated by state and federal legislation.

In addition to legislated requirements, if Council retains an interest in an affordable rental housing property, then the managing housing provider would also need to consider additional community specific tenancy criteria. Additional tenancy criteria would ensure locals are prioritised. The draft policy includes the following criteria:

• Current resident of the LGA and has been for the past 3 years; or
• Has lived in the LGA for at least 5 years of the past 10 years; or
• Have been employed as a key worker in the Blue Mountains for at least 5 years of the past 10 years; or
• Be a Traditional Owner and Custodian of the Blue Mountains or Aboriginal person with connection to the Blue Mountains.

For more information refer to the following sections of the draft policy: 

Part 2.2 - Target groups (p9-10)

Part 2.3.1 - Working with housing providers (p11-13)

This policy has been informed by the various factors that are impacting housing affordability and the development of managed affordable housing in the Blue Mountains. The high numbers of short-term rental accommodation and holiday homes across the region was identified by the Affordable Housing Review 2023 as a key concern impacting the long-term rental housing market. 

The scope of the draft policy is limited to options available at a local government level to facilitate affordable housing. For this reason, initiatives to reduce the number of short-term rental accommodation has not been directly included in the draft policy. However, Council will continue to advocate on all issues relating to affordable housing, including changes to legislation that would encourage properties to be placed on the long-term private rental market.

For more information refer to the following sections of the draft policy: 

Part 2.4 - Advocacy (p16-17)

Council Business Paper Report (Item 12, p105-110)