|
|||||||||||
 |
|||||||||||
|
Why use this indicator?Housing as “shelter” is an essential of life. Housing as “home” has enormous social and symbolic meaning to people. The quality of housing in which people live has a major bearing on their quality of life. People, as far as is within their means, generally seek housing that provides security and privacy. In economic terms, housing (including the land that it is on) is expensive to produce and therefore to rent or buy. For many lower income people, housing outlays can cause financial stress and, for some, home ownership may remain beyond their reach. For others, housing is a form of investment and a source of security for retirement. A household that is in stress due to the proportion of income spent on housing is less likely to be able to contribute to community life, either due to the need to work longer hours to pay the bills, or simply because there isn’t enough money for other activities. While Council does not play a direct role in the supply of affordable housing, it does have an advocacy and leadership role in encouraging appropriate housing opportunities in the City, and in the development of policy for the facilitation of sustainable communities. This indicator will assist Council with regards to broader considerations of land use planning, infrastructure provision and policy development. What is the current situation?Households are in housing stress if they spend more than 30% of their income on housing costs. In June 2006, 8,966 households (or 15.2% of all households) are experiencing housing stress. Of these 8,966 households in housing stress, about 5,125 households are experiencing mortgage stress while 3,841 households are in rental stress. In general there has been a decline in rental housing affordability since June 2005 when 26% of rental housing stock was affordable to very low income households. By June 2007 this had decreased to 21% of rental dwellings. The Penrith purchase housing market has become slightly more affordable since June 2005, when only 20% of moderate income earners could enter the housing market. By June 2007 this figure had increased to 31%. Percentage of rental dwellings which are affordable to very low, low and moderate incomes in Penrith LGA Source: Centre for Affordable Housing, Local Government Housing Kit Data Base Accessed by HASSELL on 11/03/08 for the Penrith Urban Study and Strategy.
Percentage of purchase dwellings which are affordable to very low, low and moderate incomes in Penrith LGA Source: Centre for Affordable Housing, Local Government Housing Kit Data Base Accessed by HASSELL on 11/03/08 for the Penrith Urban Study and Strategy.
What is the desired trend?A reduction in the proportion of households experiencing housing stress. What does this mean for the Sustainability of Penrith City?Housing stress places undue pressure on families and the community generally.
The provision of affordable housing is essential to a productive, growing
economy and a strong, sustainable society. Case Study - Revitalising our Neighbourhoods
[ back to top ] |
||||||||||
| © Copyright Penrith City Council 2009 | Home | Penrith City Website | Sitemap | Glossary | Contact |