5.5 HOUSING
The majority of RDA committees (45) reported housing shortages or affordability issues. A lack of affordable housing was a common concern. RDA committees reported significant shortages of public housing, rental housing, student and crisis accommodation and accommodation for seasonal workers. Homelessness was reported as being a major issue for several RDA committees, including Sydney, where it was considered a “significant challenge” (RDA Sydney, 2011, p. 3). Overcrowding was also commonly raised, particularly in Indigenous communities.
Another frequently raised issue was the need for new dwellings to accommodate a growing population in areas with limited available land for urban expansion. Meeting the increasing demand for smaller homes appropriate for an ageing population was considered a challenge in some regions.