I recently shared evidence that upzoning significantly boosted the development of public housing in Auckland, New Zealand.
The government, however, is not the only potential provider of social / affordable housing -- the latter can also be provided by community groups. In the post below, some of these community groups are communicating how zoning rules in NSW are constraining their ability to supply social housing.
This is why upzoning is so effective: It provides everyone, including private developers, government agencies, and community providers with the opportunity to supply more housing. Some won't but *some will*. And that leaves us better off than we would be otherwise without upzoning.
And this is why I suggest that widespread upzoning is the first step in tackling our housing affordability challenges.
![View organization page for Faith Housing Australia, graphic]()
Why are we advocating for proposed planning reforms to include land zoned 'special purpose' and 'place of public worship'? This issue emerged in consultation with our members as a common barrier for faith communities wanting to use their land for affordable housing.
Member, Sustainable Development Group Ltd has a unique perspective on the issue as it partners with multiple faith communities. Their Managing Director, Richard Ollerhead, shares that the costs to fund planning proposals have halted affordable housing developments.
Ross Jones, CEO of Sydney Anglican Property, says of the church's commitment to supporting local communities struggling to find safe, secure and affordable housing -
"The Sydney Diocese of the Anglican Church is keen to play a significant role in the provision of social and affordable housing, but, as Rob Stokes points out, the SP2 zoning is a limiting factor. We support Rob's proposal as it would help unlock a number of properties on which our churches would continue to operate but on which we could also incorporate social and affordable housing."
Fortunately, the solution is straightforward. Read Faith Housing Alliance's submission to the NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure: https://lnkd.in/giJCxfxY
#planning #affordablehousing #socialhousing #housingcrisis #housingjustice #YIGBY
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!["Affordable housing is hard enough to make feasible without additional hurdles."
Richard Ollerhead, Managing Director, Sustainable Development Group]()
