newy.com.au – Major new housing developments in Newcastle should be required to include more social and affordable homes so low-paid workers are not priced out of the city, the SDA Newcastle and Northern Branch says.
The union’s call follows three Newcastle West housing projects being granted state significant development status, with the developments expected to have the potential to deliver about 1000 new homes.
SDA Newcastle and Northern Branch secretary David Bliss said boosting housing supply was important, but new apartments alone would not solve the affordability pressure facing essential workers in retail, fast food and warehousing.
“More homes are welcome, but if they’re out of reach for ordinary working people, they won’t solve Newcastle’s housing crisis,” Mr Bliss said.
“Retail workers, fast-food workers and warehouse workers keep Newcastle running, but too many can no longer afford to live in the communities they serve.
“We’re seeing workers pushed further and further from their jobs because rents have become unaffordable close to where they work.
“No worker should have to spend hours commuting, sleep on a friend’s couch or live in overcrowded housing just to keep their job.”
Mr Bliss said the NSW Budget had included welcome housing investment, but argued stronger measures were needed to ensure new projects delivered homes low-paid workers could afford.
“The housing crisis is becoming a workforce crisis,” he said.
“As Newcastle grows, we need to make sure the people who serve customers, stack shelves, prepare meals and keep businesses operating every day aren’t priced out of the city.
“The NSW Government should require major developments, particularly those benefiting from planning incentives or built on government-owned land, to include a minimum of 30 per cent social and affordable housing.
“We’ve got a once-in-a-generation opportunity to shape Newcastle’s future. We can’t afford to create communities that only higher income earners can afford to live in.
“Affordable housing isn’t just good social policy – it’s essential economic infrastructure. Businesses need workers, and workers need somewhere affordable to live.”
Mr Bliss said including genuinely affordable housing in new developments would help essential workers live closer to their jobs, reduce commuting times and strengthen communities.
“Newcastle’s growth should benefit everyone, including the workers who keep our shops, supermarkets, fast-food restaurants and warehouses operating every day.”
