The NSW Chapter of the Australian Institute of Architects, led by president Adam Haddow, voices concerns about the NSW Affordable Housing Strategy, citing a risk of abuse for financial gain. The Institute advocates for permanent affordable housing, management by registered non-profits and a restriction on development approval times to deter land banking.
July 4th, 2023
The Australian Institute of Architects (AIA) NSW Chapter recently released a statement addressing the proposed Affordable Housing Strategy by the Minns Government. Although the government’s efforts to address housing scarcity were acknowledged, the AIA highlighted potential flaws in the legislation that may lead to an unintended financial windfall for developers over 15 years.
Currently in flux, the housing market has prompted the government to take measures to address the housing crisis. However, the AIA has taken issue with the proposed 30 per cent increase in residential apartment projects, which include a 15 per cent affordable housing provision, and has expressed concerns over the potential outcomes.
The AIA places particular concern on the 15-year limit imposed on the affordable housing provision. The Institute argues that this time constraint might not be sufficient for the necessary changes to occur in the housing environment, or for essential workers to improve their financial positions to return to the general rental market. In response, the Institute is calling for affordable housing provisions to be made permanent.
Registered non-profit organisations, says the AIA, should manage affordable housing to prevent potential corruption and mismanagement. By placing the management of these properties in the hands of such organisations, the Institute believes that the risk of exploitation can be mitigated.
Meanwhile, the final recommendation is to impose a time limit on development approvals to prevent the practice of land banking, wherein land is held without being developed for future profit. The AIA suggests a five-year limit for development consent on 30% uplift projects to discourage this.
Related: The missing middle of Sydney’s urban density with SJB
According to the Institute, these three changes could significantly improve the proposed legislation and prevent an unintended 15-year financial advantage for developers. They believe that these modifications could assist in rebuilding the development industry’s relationship with the community.
Highlighting these concerns, the Institute advocates for more than architectural design and planning. They are pushing for the development of sustainable and equitable communities. Their statement emphasises the necessity for long-term solutions in housing strategy, with affordable housing as an accessible reality rather than a mere concept.
The AIA’s proposal outlines a housing strategy designed to endure, addressing potential areas of corruption and ensuring the integrity of housing provisions for the benefit of communities and essential workers. With these changes, the architects argue, the housing strategy could be better equipped to meet the long-term housing needs of the state.
Australian Institute of Architects (NSW)
architecture.com.au
A searchable and comprehensive guide for specifying leading products and their suppliers
Keep up to date with the latest and greatest from our industry BFF's!
Create a configuration to suit your needs with this curved collection.
The Sub-Zero Wolf showrooms in Sydney and Melbourne provide a creative experience unlike any other. Now showcasing all-new product ranges, the showrooms present a unique perspective on the future of kitchens, homes and lifestyles.
Marylou Cafaro’s first trendjournal sparked a powerful, decades-long movement in joinery designs and finishes which eventually saw Australian design develop its independence and characteristic style. Now, polytec offers all-new insights into the future of Australian design.
Savage Design’s approach to understanding the relationship between design concepts and user experience, particularly with metalwork, transcends traditional boundaries, blending timeless craftsmanship with digital innovation to create enduring elegance in objects, furnishings, and door furniture.
Gray Puksand’s construction-focused facility at TAFE NSW responds to the critical need for a resilient Australian construction industry.
In our series spotlighting aficionados across the design industry, we spoke with Alexandra Guglielmino, who leads the Art Advisory team at Bluethumb Art Gallery.
The internet never sleeps! Here's the stuff you might have missed
As one of the many entries to The Social Space category at the 2024 INDE.Awards, this community centre is something out of the ordinary through its architectural design, that also provides a place for community and connection for many.
Simon Liley, Principal Sustainability Consultant at Cundall, writes about how cyberpunk dystopias haven’t (quite) come to pass yet – and how designers can avoid them.