Frankston City Council is calling on the local community to have their say on the future of affordable housing by providing feedback on its Draft Affordable Housing Policy.
As Frankston City’s population grows, so too will its need for affordable housing – it’s estimated that Frankston City will need over 8,000 more affordable homes by 2036, the Council said in a statement.
Councillor, Nathan Butler said the Council was dedicated to finding a way to grow affordable housing across the city to ensure a secure housing future for all.
“Our goal is for Frankston City to be a place where everyone is welcome and everyone has a safe, secure and affordable home,” said Cr Butler.
While affordable housing is the responsibility of the Australian and state governments, local government can still play an important role, he said.
Through the Draft Affordable Housing Policy, Frankston City Council outlines the three key roles it might take to support affordable housing growth across the city, including:
- Council as a supply enabler – leveraging planning systems to accommodate housing needs and support a healthy housing market;
- Council as an advocate – advocating to government and those involved in the land development process for continued investment in affordable housing and regulatory reform;
- Council as a partner – exploring opportunities to partner with others to help increase the supply of affordable housing.
“When we invest in affordable housing, we’re not just seeing homes built, we’re strengthening our entire community. Just as we need schools, roads and hospitals, we need affordable housing,” said Cr Butler.
Chairperson of Frankston & Mornington Peninsula Zero, Jackie Galloway OAM, spoke on the importance of affordable housing in reducing local homelessness.
“Data shows that homelessness is a prominent issue in Frankston City. Although we have initiatives in place to support members of our community experiencing homelessness, like Frankston & Mornington Peninsula Zero, it is crucial that we’re also addressing the root causes,” she said.
“When people can’t afford a place to stay, they often end up relying on temporary, insecure and sometime unsafe alternatives. Ensuring our city has more affordable housing, means more options for the people who need them most and is a strong step towards breaking the
cycle of homelessness.”
Cr Butler is urging community members to take part in the engagement process by visiting Engage Frankston and completing the online survey by Sunday 23 March.
“Have your say on the Draft Affordable Housing Policy and help shape a key document that will guide all of Council’s future affordable housing planning, decision-making and advocacy,” he said.
