No news on housing isn’t good news

THERE’S a lot going on in response to the housing crisis in Australia, and specifically in Bass Coast, but we’re not seeing much of it on the ground.

What we are seeing is people camping out, living in their cars between nights with friends and family, and either struggling to find rental accommodation, or to keep it.

They sometimes call into Mitchell House for something from the free food pantry.

“It’s distressing,” according to Jessica Harrison a founding member of Bass Coast Housing Matters.

“We’ve heard an announcement about the Bass Coast Shire Council’s Social and Affordable Housing Strategy is imminent, which is good, but we wouldn’t want to see that further delayed. South Gippsland already has theirs out,” Ms Harrison said.

“And I think Jordan Crugnale and the shire are going to provide some details on the two small social housing projects they’re planning in Cowes and Wonthaggi.

“I understand they’ll be going out for public consultation and while we have heard some opposition, there’s a lot of support in these communities as well.

“This type of housing is desperately needed, and we need to be seeing a lot more of it.

“We’re a bit disappointed in ourselves for not campaigning for a percentage of the North-East Wonthaggi Precinct to be set aside for social housing but we’ll certainly be looking for that when the next lot is rezoned for housing.

“We understand that both the Federal Government and the State Government have made support for social housing, or as I prefer to call it ‘homes for the community’, a priority but really, we’re yet to see their efforts make much of a difference,” Ms Harrison said.

The Bass Coast Shire Council has a key role to play.

In August 2022, the shire’s ‘Residential Market, Demand and Supply Assessment’ found that we will need upwards of 10,000 new dwellings by 2036 to accommodate future community needs.

Presently, the report found that there is capacity for 5049 single dwellings in zoned residential land, 3773 on the mainland and 2468 on Phillip Island.

This will substantially increase when the Wonthaggi North-East Precinct Structure Plan is finalised (expected in 2023).

There are 1685 single vacant lots zoned General Residential Zone (936 mainland, 749 Island) but only a third may be available for sale or development in the short term.

However, while there is “capacity” for housing development, the reality is that there are precious few vacant allotments for sale, adding to the housing crisis in Bass Coast, while also dramatically increasing the price of blocks.

Across the Bass Coast Shire, the report says block prices have increased 7.9% on average between 2012-2021 to $316,000 but in sought-after locations like Inverloch ($440,000) and Cowes ($450,000) block prices are considerably higher.

Infill block values can be even higher.

The issue has received a lot of comment in the State and Federal Parliament in recent weeks, ahead of the start of the Regional First Home Guarantee, on October 1, brought forward by the 

Albanese Government to help up to 10,000 eligible Australians into home ownership, and the release of the Productivity Commission’s review of the National Housing and Homelessness Agreement (NHHA).

Under the RFHBG, part of an eligible regional first home buyer’s home loan from a Participating Lender is guaranteed by NHFIC. This enables an eligible home buyer to purchase a home with as little as 5% deposit without paying Lenders Mortgage Insurance.

Any Guarantee of a home loan is for up to a maximum amount of 15% of the value of the property (as assessed by the Participating lender).

Your bank and local real estate agent will be across the details or go to the National Housing and Finance and Investment Corporation www.nhfic.gov.au.

Predictably the review of the National Housing and Homelessness Agreement found that many Australians, particularly those on low incomes, are spending more on housing. Demand for social housing is rising and more people are experiencing homelessness.

In the Federal Parliament last week, the Member for Mayo (SA) Rebekha Sharkie, initiated a debate on a matter of public importance namely, the housing affordability crisis in Australia “…because I believe what has always been a great dream for generations of Australians has become a nightmare”.

There after followed some harrowing tales of severe housing problems right across Australia.

The Member for Bass, Jordan Crugnale, also addressed the issue in State Parliament recently, calling for an update on the social housing projects in the Bass electorate from her colleague the Victorian Housing Minister, Danny Pearson.

We are yet to receive the update from Ms Crugnale.

“Everyone deserves the security and stability of a home,” Ms Crugnale said in Parliament. Hear hear.