Shoalhaven City Council Mayor, Amanda Findley, is appealing to owners of vacant properties in the municipality to consider full-time rentals, as the region’s housing crisis reportedly worsens.
“The Shoalhaven, like many other Local Government Areas, is experiencing an unprecedented housing availability and affordability crisis, and while we are doing what we can to advocate for additional affordable housing in the Shoalhaven, the reality is Council has limited powers to assist the people directly impacted,” the Mayor said today.
“We know though, that many houses in our city are currently vacant for a variety reasons whether that be deceased estates, holiday houses or short term/holiday rentals.”
Census 2021 data showed more than 12,000 homes in the Shoalhaven were vacant, with many used as holiday rentals.
“My appeal is to the owners or managers of vacant properties. I ask that you please consider making your property available for full time rental, even if only for 12-18 months to help alleviate some of the pressure and to buy us some time as we await the promised housing investment funding from the Federal and State Governments.”
The Mayor said the Shoalhaven had taken its “fair share of knocks” in recent years with natural disasters and the COVID-19 pandemic.
“There are some in our strong and resilient community that are doing it tough and feeling more vulnerable than ever before.
“Thank you for taking the time to consider our request to help put a roof over someone’s head,” she said.
A recent report from the University of NSW and the Australian Council of Social Service showed 70% of people in the Federal electorate of Gilmore, which includes the Shoalhaven LGA, were experiencing rental stress.
