Affordable housing

In Australia and internationally, workers whose wages are typically set at a national or state level, including teachers, nurses, police and fire and emergency personnel, are considered essential workers. This also includes support and ancillary workers in healthcare, education and emergency services; workers who support the labour force (for example, childcare and aged care workers); and low paid workers who are important for local economies, such as hospitality and retail workers.

In Willoughby LGA the 2021 census data tells us that more than one third of households were experiencing housing stress. Research conducted by the University of Sydney in 2023, determined that Willoughby LGA is ‘very unaffordable’ for many essential workers on indicative salaries to purchase or rent a median-priced home in the area. For example, in Willoughby, the median price for a strata dwelling was found to exceed what would be affordable for an early career registered nurse by over $500,000 in 2023.

Affordable housing delivers significant benefits to the local economy through diversification of the labour market, increased job retention and increased productivity. We know that increasing unaffordability of housing in the LGA means that less people employed in emergency, health and other essential service sectors are resident in Willoughby. This has impacts for community resilience, reducing our ability to respond quickly to emergencies and for resourcing and funding of essential services including for example workforce recruitment and retention costs associated with health and emergency services. 

Provision of affordable housing also has impacts for wellbeing, providing low to moderate income renters with an affordable, secure housing option, leading to improved health and employment outcomes, a greater sense of safety, independence and social connectedness.

An increased supply of affordable housing also provides opportunities for local young people to continue to live and work in their community.

Willoughby City Council was one of the first metropolitan councils to recognise the need for more affordable housing.

We see affordable housing as essential social and economic infrastructure. Council is committed to increasing the supply of affordable rental homes by setting clear targets and policies.

To achieve this, we require developers in selected zones to provide Council with completed dwellings—or a cash contribution of equal value—equivalent to up to 10% of the total accountable floor space in new multi‑unit developments.

Council then manages these homes for essential workers in a way that supports strong social outcomes and long‑term financial sustainability.

Most of the tenants in our affordable housing accomodation are employed in the care, health and services sectors.

Only a small number of tenants are pensioner households. These residents were already living in the dwellings when they were transferred to Council in the early 2000s. As long‑term members of the local community, Council committed to continuing to provide them with safe and secure accommodation.