Defining affordable housing and a minimum supply of social housing

Housing affordability is a growing problem in Australia and a key issue for many Knox residents. While many factors that influence housing affordability are beyond the control of the Council, some actions can be taken at the local government level.

This Paper discusses current housing affordability issues, defines key ‘affordable housing’ terms including ‘affordable housing’, ‘social housing’, and ‘public housing’, and proposes a method and justification for calculating a minimum supply of social housing required to accommodate people in Knox in significant need. To calculate a minimum supply, a focus on social housing is proposed (rather than the broader subject of affordable housing), as the Council has a greater capacity to influence this market.

The Paper can be used as an instrument to: inform the Council, State, and Commonwealth Governments, social housing providers, private developers, and other relevant stakeholders of local affordable and social housing needs and requirements for 2030; enhance collaboration and build partnerships to respond to the cheap and social housing shortage; and provide baseline data against which the Council can monitor and measure progress in addressing housing affordability in Knox.

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