Social housing at the centre of new planning code amendments
The Malinauskas Labor government will introduce a new requirement that the SA Housing Trust be formally consulted on all new planning code amendments.
The government said the change would mean all planning decisions will actively explore the needs and suitability for social housing in affected areas, including the impact of amendments on essential services, infrastructure, environmental standards and community needs.
The government currently consults with the Environmental Protection Authority, the Department for Infrastructure and Transport, the Department of Education, Adelaide Airport and utility providers such as SA Power Networks on code amendments.
“We are leaving no stone unturned in the search for more social and affordable housing opportunities,” said Housing and Urban Development Minister Nick Champion.
“We are making sure SA Housing Trust has a seat at the table for every code amendment and keeping social housing as part of every conversation that we have around urban development and renewal across the state.
“Public housing is vital to the social fabric of our community – social and affordable housing is and will remain a key part of every major development in South Australia.”
Greens MLC Robert Simms told InDaily he welcomed the government’s decision to implement the changes.
“I’m really pleased that the government is now going to be ensuring that the SA Housing Trust is consulted as part of code amendments. I think that creates the potential to roll out more social housing, which is a key priority as we try and tackle the worst housing crisis that we’ve seen in generations here in our state,” he said.
“We’ve got thousands and thousands of South Australians on the wait list at the moment, and there’s also a backlog on social housing maintenance work. Getting new social housing coming down the line is going to be life-changing for South Australians who are struggling.
“We desperately need more social housing and more affordable housing to help tackle the housing crisis that’s engulfing the state.”
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Simms said the Greens would continue to advocate for the government to address rent prices and build more social housing, including through the party’s proposal to establish a public builder to construct public and affordable homes.
According to the Department for Housing and Urban Development, social housing refers to public and community housing where rent is subsidised and calculated for a majority of tenants at 25 to 30 per cent of household income.
Affordable housing refers to “a home where low-to moderate income households pay no more than 30 per cent of their annual income on rent or mortgage payments”, while public housing refers to properties owned and managed by the SA Housing Trust (previously known as The South Australian Housing Authority) and community housing by Community Housing Providers such as UnitingSA.
The government said that 43,000 South Australian households live in public or affordable housing, with the SA Housing Trust managing around 33,000 public housing properties across the state.
