THE LACK of affordable housing for people wanting to rent or buy in Byron Shire is something that Greens Cr Simon Richardson has been working hard to address.
Cr Richardson is running again for Mayor 2016-2020 and one of his main priorities is affordable housing in the shire.
“When community workers, older residents wanting to downsize, young locals looking to move out of home but stay near their parents … and young families are forced to leave the Shire because of high rents and high property prices, it makes Byron Shire a poorer place,” he said.
Recently, Cr Richardson announced a plan to provide ‘pop-up’ affordable housing on council-owned land. The housing would cost around $50,000 to $80,000 and would not be much bigger than a granny flat.
The home would be fully self-contained and off-the-grid, with their own solar, water and composting toilets. Rental prices are estimated to be around $350 a week, and there would be an option for residents to buy their homes outright over time.
FAST FACTS:
- Byron Bay is the most expensive rental area outside metropolitan regions, says Northern Rivers Social Development Council CEO, Tony Davies
- Byron Shire real estate prices have been driven up by property speculation
- Affordable housing on the NSW North Coast has dropped by 6% according to Anglicare