● Provide advice to council on matters and issues relating to affordable housing withinthe municipality;● Make recommendations to council to promote and support delivery of affordablehousing;● Assist council to undertake relevant research, identify sites suitable for affordablehousing, facilitate targeted responses to identified vulnerable cohorts, and conduct anyother strategic level work required by council;● Assist council in sourcing external funding opportunities to further affordablehousing;● Promote a collaborative and communicative approach between agencies,individuals, companies and council, to identify possibilities for innovation and maximiseefficient use of resources;● Provide advice and recommendations to council on policy matters relating toaffordable housing, including but not limited to the Greater Shepparton PlanningScheme; and● Promote understanding and awareness of matters and issues relating to affordablehousing within the municipality.
Council agreed to the terms of reference that recommended Mayor Seema Abdullah sit on the group along with eight organisations including Beyond Housing, The Bridge Youth Services, Rumbalara Aboriginal Cooperative and Wintringham Housing Limited.
The reference group would also include two community representative with no affiliation to council's recommended organisations.
Cr Abdullah said by drawing on experience it would open the opportunity to address shortfalls.
“Collaborative partnerships between all levels of government, the not-for-profit and private sectors, and the community, will be the key drivers to meet the community’s wide-ranging needs."
Cr Kim O'Keeffe said council needed to be collaborating with many people across the community.
“... we can work together on this extremely difficult and hard process to really make sure we can house people and look after the homeless,” she said.
“We state that all members of Greater Shepparton community have access safe affordable and appropriate housing — so how do we make that happen?”
Cr O'Keeffe said working closely with service organisations and housing providers allowed the council to connect better with those on the ground.
``We get the information we need ... we can really help support and make a difference.”
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