13 storeys of potential: Will these CBD sites become affordable housing in Coffs Harbour?

Two council-owned blocks in Coffs Harbour’s CBD could soon become sites for affordable housing – if the City of Coffs Harbour is successful in attracting Community Housing Providers.

The roughly 13-storey blocks are on Gordon Street (numbers 38 and 41) and would potentially be the site for new units for people on low incomes.

One block is currently the site of the council’s laboratory, which is set to relocate to council-owned land on Christmas Bells Road. The other site currently accommodates a cottage used for commercial purposes. 

Lack of affordable housing

The City of Coffs Harbour council is well aware the supply of affordable housing is insufficient in the region and has multiple policies – and an annual strategy – aimed at finding solutions.

Through its Affordable Housing Policy, the council is focusing on partnerships with Community Housing Providers as well as advocating for the state and federal governments to deliver more funding in the region. 

The city’s Affordable Housing Strategy includes a target of 2,215 additional affordable housing dwellings – including social housing– by 2041. 

In a statement, City Planning and Communities Acting Director Ian Fitzgibbon said it is widely acknowledged there is a lack of affordable housing in Coffs Harbour and across the NSW. 

“Affordable housing is generally considered to be where the rent does not exceed 30 percent of a household’s gross income where that is deemed to be low to moderate,” Fitzgibbon said. 

City Business Services Director Steve Bayliss explained if a property is utilised by a Community Housing Provider for affordable housing, then that is registered on the title to ensure the operator complies with the original intention.

An Expression of Interest

In July, councillors authorised the council’s General Manager to move forward with an expression of interest process for the sites. 

“We are looking to flesh out any interest from preferably what are known as ‘Tier 1’ Community Housing Providers (CHPs) - these are major operators who typically manage many tenancies, often exceeding 350,” Mayor Nikki Williams said. 

“The process will see if there’s interest in these sites and potentially the expectations and plans of CHPs.”

The expression of interest process will offer an option for parties to include a mix of key worker and/or student accommodation as part of an affordable housing proposal.  

None of this commits the council to any actions just yet – including the sale of the two properties. The results of the expressions of interest will be reported back to council before any further steps are taken.

Thumbnail: 41 Gordon Street, supplied City of Coffs Harbour.