FAQs
What is the draft Housing Strategy?
The draft Housing Strategy is one part of Noosa Council’s plan to help keep Noosa home for members of our community.
The plan outlines the housing issues facing our community and details the actions we need to take so we can help people in our community keep Noosa home.
Designed to address our current and future housing needs, the strategy has been informed by the Housing Needs Assessment, a comprehensive technical study on the context of housing and households in Noosa Shire.
It outlines key issues and a range of actions to assist in addressing the current housing crisis and provides a clear plan for housing in Noosa Shire through to 2041.
Why does Noosa Shire need a Housing Strategy?
Like other local government areas across Queensland, Noosa Shire is facing a housing crisis that has already had significant social and economic impacts on the community.
We know there are many people in the Noosa Shire who are struggling to find somewhere to live because of a lack of social and affordable housing.
Noosa Council is committed to ensuring our community is a place for everyone regardless of age, mobility, household size or budget.
With more housing choice and affordability, we can keep Noosa home for people who want to continue living in our community.
What has caused this housing crisis?
The housing crisis has been caused by a number of factors including the COVID-19 pandemic, natural disasters such as bushfires and floods occurring all around Australia, all time low rental vacancies, a lack of affordable housing availability, the shortage of building materials and a highly competitive South East Queensland housing market.
Who is responsible for the delivery of the Housing Strategy?
Noosa Council is working with all levels of government as well as industry leaders and community organisations to ensure residents can keep Noosa home.
As outlined in the strategy, strong partnerships are needed with the State Government, Community Housing providers, private housing developers and with the Noosa community to help tackle this housing crisis.
Noosa Council has also established a Housing Reference Group to ensure relevant community and industry leaders and decision makers can play an important role in helping us deliver more diverse and affordable housing to help local residents keep Noosa home.
The members of the Housing Reference Group have been selected due to their expertise and relevant experience in the housing industry.
What is social and affordable housing?
It’s important to know the different kinds of housing types when talking about social and affordable housing as there is often confusion or misconceptions around these terms.
Affordable housing
Housing that can be affordable for low to moderate incomes. Households spending greater than 30% of their gross income on housing costs are considered to be living in housing stress.
An example: Housing subsidised through the National Rental Affordability Scheme (NRAS).
Social housing
Housing for a residential use, other than crisis accommodation, that is either provided by the state as public housing or outside of the state such as community housing (not-for-profit organisation or local government)
An example: Coast2Bay or YouTurn
Public housing
Housing provided by, or for, the state or a statutory body representing the state.
Public housing is for short or long-term residential use and is either completely or partially funded by the state or representing body.
Accessible housing
Housing designed for people with complex support needs such disability accommodation.
These homes are built under a set of Liveable Housing Design Guidelines or National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) Specialist Disability Accommodation Design Standards.
An example: Endevour houses or Young Care
Crisis accommodation
Provision of short-term accommodation to people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness, individuals or families escaping domestic violence or in crisis, to assist them to move towards independent living.
Build-to-rent (BTR)
Homes purposely build for long-term, secure rental tenancies, not upfront sales.
Build to Rent provides an opportunity for discounted rental housing either by the private sector or through partnering with government.
How can I have my say?
You can have your say on the draft Housing Strategy by completing our online survey.
Council will also be engaging with the community through a number of activities from July 11 to August 7 2022.