3. How can we build support for affordable housing?

A. Anticipate opposition and be proactive…

Even if you are in a ‘low risk’ area, it can be a good idea to expect that there may be community opposition to your development. Being prepared and proactive is a good precaution.

‘Successful’ developments have engaged council and the community (particularly those immediately surrounding the development) well before a development application is lodged. They continue this engagement long after the development is approved and occupied.

There are some important actions that can be taken to build community and council support for affordable housing. These actions start well before your development application is lodged and continue long after it has been approved and occupied. Research indicates that ‘successful’ developments have generally done the following.

• Researched the council’s position on affordable housing, including whether it has a policy or strategy, and how it has generally dealt with previous applications;
• Proactively built a relationship with their Council/s and provided them with relevant information to promote community housing and dispel common ‘myths’ (e.g. in relation to adverse impacts on property values, amenity and safety);
• Demonstrated that they have a long-term commitment to the community or are committed to this;
• Engaged in strategic site selection and conducted a risk assessment on their site and locality;
• Initiated pre-DA meetings with the relevant Council to understand relevant planning requirements, studies needed, and any ‘absolute constraints’;
• Actively consulted with surrounding residents, resident associations, and other key groups to capture their concerns and their early input into design of the project;
• Engaged qualified professionals to provide planning and other technical advice;
• Developed a high quality design that seeks to be as compatible as possible with the surrounding area, addressed substantive issues like parking and compliance with relevant planning instruments, and taken into account prior community feedback;
• Undertaken relevant studies as requested by Council, e.g. heritage, acoustic, parking and traffic studies, a social impact assessment, etc;
• Kept the community and Council informed of progress, including design iterations, future management arrangements, and complaints and accountability procedures;
• Ensured that all documentation required by Council has been completed and all relevant studies submitted;
• Continued to proactively consult with immediately surrounding neighbours and any other potentially sensitive groups during the exhibition period;
• Offered to do a further presentation to Council if this would be useful;
• Ensured that there is proactive management after occupation, including:
• Immediate action and follow up on any complaints or emerging issues;
• Excellent and timely maintenance of common areas, open space and facilities/properties;
• Clear complaints and report back procedures that are well publicised.

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