Council has approved the establishment of an Affordable Social Housing Plan Advisory Committee to help achieve its aim of creating 12,000 new social housing dwellings across the municipality over the next 20 years.
The committee was formed following the Council’s adoption of the Social Housing Plan 2020-2041 earlier this year. The committee will play a key leadership role as council seeks direction on the growth of social housing supply in the City.
Recruitment for the Advisory Committee will be completed via an expression of interest process and stakeholders and community members will be encouraged to apply.
Council approved the Committee’s Terms of Reference to focus on the following areas:
monitoring and promoting, advising and assisting council in implementing the Social Housing Plan
advising council on housing related issues, activities and opportunities within the municipality and broader sector
assisting council to identify priorities for advocacy to state and commonwealth governments and
conveying the views and interests of the Geelong community and the various housing related networks to council.
The Social Housing Plan identified key population groups who are more vulnerable than others and presents a roadmap that will help alleviate these obstacles.
Other key focuses of the Affordable Housing Advisory Committee will include:
monitor research on housing need, demand and supply and advise on the implications for council policies
advise council on the necessary actions to implement the social housing growth targets in the plan
advise council on any future opportunities to expand its role in the delivery of social and affordable housing and assist council to promote the community benefits and best practice in social and affordable housing design and management and
assist council with event planning, consultation processes and other forms of engagement relating to affordable housing issues.
The appointment of committee members will be in accordance with the Committee Representation Council Policy.
Councillor Kylie Grzybek – Acting Mayor
Affordable social housing is one of the most important issues council is tackling at the moment and unfortunately demand is set to rise due to the impacts of the pandemic.
The committee will draw upon local expertise, experience and networks to inform council decision making by providing pathways for community input and providing regular feedback.
Councillor Sarah Mansfield – Chair, Social Inclusion portfolio
There are thousands of community members living in housing stress or are homeless, due to a huge deficit in the availability of social and affordable housing. Unfortunately, the need will only grow as a result of COVID-19, but this is an opportunity for council to make a difference in this space.
Many community members have expressed interest in council’s Social Housing Plan, so I really encourage them to put their hands up for the committee. We need a broad range of voices to provide guidance and advice to council on this issue.
