Greens plan for public, social and affordable housing on public land - a winner
The Greens’ plan to deliver public, social and affordable housing in Kiama has been
welcomed by the community and representatives of Kiama Council at a press conference in Coronation Park today.
The plan responds to Kiama Council’s proposal to re-zone two hectares of Council-owned land from industrial to residential. With rents rising, essential workers leaving the region, and more than a third of renters in housing stress, the Greens are calling for the land to remain in public hands and deliver homes for the community rather than private profit.
The plan calls for:
- The NSW Government and Kiama Council to partner in keeping the site in public ownership, with new homes delivered through Homes NSW and community housing providers.
- If the land is sold to private developers, a binding agreement requiring at least 30% of all dwellings to be affordable housing in perpetuity.
- Stronger regulation of short-term holiday rentals to return housing stock to the long-term rental market.
- Statewide reform to deliver 100,000 new public, social and affordable homes across NSW, and to legislate that 10% of all dwellings in the state are public or social housing.
Greens MP and spokesperson for planning Sue Higginson said:
“This is a brilliant opportunity for the NSW Government to work hand in hand with Kiama Council and deliver desperately needed homes. Public land must deliver public good, not private profit,”
“What we are seeing in Kiama is a housing market that is failing its people. Over one third of renters are in housing stress, social housing makes up only one percent of the housing stock, and wait times are up to ten years. At the same time, 16 percent of homes are sitting empty, many tied up in short term holiday rentals. This is unsustainable and unjust,”
“If the NSW Labor Government is serious about fixing the housing crisis, this is the moment to prove it. They must back Kiama Council and guarantee that this land delivers public, social and affordable housing. And if any development is allowed by private interests, it must come with a binding agreement that at least 30 percent of new homes are affordable in perpetuity, not just for a handful of years,”
“This land in the heart of Kiama could be a model for how governments and councils across NSW manage rezoning to meet community need. Labor must not waste this chance. Housing is a human right and it is time for the NSW Government to step up,”
Greens Candidate for Kiama Tonia Gray said:
“Rezoning and redevelopment in our towns is inevitable, but we have to get it right. This land is within five minutes of shops, schools, the train station and the beach. It is the perfect location for public, affordable and social housing that supports local workers, older residents and young families,”
“We know the crisis is biting here in Kiama. Essential workers are being priced out of the region, young people cannot see a future here, and older residents have nowhere to downsize while staying connected to their community. Keeping this land in public ownership and building affordable homes would make a real difference,”
“When the Greens put forward evidence based, community focused plans like this, governments eventually follow. That is why voting for the Greens matters. It sends a powerful message that people want fair, liveable and sustainable communities, and that we will not accept business as usual. Kiama can and should lead the way,”