Land for affordable housing?

Gosford Council is considering using a block of land at 10 Macleay Ave, Woy Woy, for an affordable housing project.

Council officers have recommended that council support, in the principal, the use of the site for the project.

They have also recommended that further investigations be undertaken to determine how the Gosford Housing Trust can be involved in facilitating the use of the property for an affordable housing project to be carried out in partnership between council and a community housing provider.

Council said that, in line with the goals of the Affordable Housing Strategy, a search of vacant council-owned land had been conducted to locate potential sites available for the project.

The search identified the land at 10 Macleay St, Woy Woy, as being the most suitable.

Council officers said it was envisaged that this pilot project could assist in facilitating future affordable housing projects involving both public and private owned lands.

They stated: "Its development by a community housing provider for a residential purpose such as a single dwelling house, a dual occupancy development or a seniors living development is considered appropriate".

Council at its meeting of September 25 resolved to establish the Gosford Housing Trust to facilitate the provision of affordable social housing in the local government area.

Officers stated that: "To enable council to consider the possible use of 10 Macleay Ave, Woy Woy, for the purpose of an affordable housing project, a further report will be prepared outlining how the proposed Housing Trust might facilitate this project once the Trust has been established and developed management protocols".

Council agenda SF.15, 1 Apr 2008