It’s a race against the clock for developers, as amendments to the Affordable Rental Housing State Environmental Planning Policy (ARH SEPP) loom; with major reforms set to iron out loopholes in the system.
Since it was first passed in 2009, the ARH SEPP has been exploited, as developers took up the opportunity to build boarding houses or ‘micro-apartments’ in low density residential R2 zoned areas.
This subsequently resulted in clustering in some areas and in many cases, rental prices have still exceeded what is deemed ‘affordable’.
The policy changes, set to be finalised shortly, seek to mandate that boarding houses are affordable and managed by community housing providers.
Some Epping residents are concerned a Development Application (DA) for a two storey, 12-room boarding house on 73 Kent Street is being rushed through and believe the application process has been “deceitful”.
“The affordable housing policy aims to have workers reside close to places of work, but Epping has lost 10,000 jobs within the past few years and is becoming an overwhelmingly residential hub with little commercial business or retail employment opportunities,” Resident Jill Fisher said.
“If this developer was fair dinkum about providing affordable housing and not just taking advantage of the current loophole in the policy, he would be a registered community housing provider, but he’s not.
“The Government needs to put its money where its mouth is with affordable housing and not expect residents in low residential zones to do the heavy lifting.”
Residents’ concerns also surround increased traffic and the prospect of disengaged neighbours in a tight-knit part of the street.
“We are also concerned for the tenants who will not be protected from high rent prices under the current policy,” Ms Fisher added.
Private Developer and Owner of 73 Kent Street, Calvin Kwok says residents are making “incorrect assumptions”.
“The proposed boarding house will be affordable to low and moderate income working people,” he said
“There are almost 5,000 households made up of single people and couples in the LGA who are in moderate or severe housing stress; they already live and work in the local community, but are increasingly being forced out by the lack of suitable, affordable rental housing.
“The problem lies in the name ‘boarding house’ and the community fears are a common misconception.”
A Department of Planning, Industry and Environment spokesperson said any application lodged before the changes will need to be assessed and determined in accordance with the current SEPP.
Troy Dodds is Parra News' Managing Editor and Breaking News Reporter. He has more than 20 years experience as a journalist, working with some of Australia’s leading media organisations. In 2023, he was named Editor of the Year at the Mumbrella Publish Awards.