Affordable Housing for Developers

As a developer, there are a number of options and methods to pursue to create affordable housing in Cockburn. There are a range of existing state and national programs, as well as Cockburn-based incentives, to facilitate and support affordable and diverse housing options for the community.

National Rental Affordability Scheme

The National Rental Affordability Scheme (NRAS) is a joint initiative by the Commonwealth and State and Territory Governments, to assist in responding to the shortage of affordable rental housing across Australia.

The scheme aims to:

• Increase the supply of new affordable rental housing
• Reduce rental costs for households on low to moderate income
• Support investment and delivery of affordable housing. 

Private sector and not-for-profit organisations are eligible to receive financial incentives for up to 10 years on the condition of dwellings under the scheme being rented to eligible households at a discount of at least 20 per cent below the market rate.

Affordable housing on the Cockburn coast

The City of Cockburn may grant a floorspace bonus in the event that a development application includes the provision of affordable housing at the following ratio:

• Affordable yield 10 per cent = 30 per cent floorspace bonus
• Affordable yield 20 per cent = 40 per cent floorspace bonus
• Affordable yield 25 per cent = 45 per cent floorspace bonus.

Further bonuses may be granted where dwellings have more than one bedroom.
 
For further information refer to the Robb Jetty Local Structure Plan.

Please contact the City’s Statutory Planning Services Department on 08 9411 3444 before submitting an application.

Partnering with community housing providers

Community housing is owned or managed by registered community housing providers.

Partnerships with community housing providers offer a range of incentives including:

• Industry knowledge and experience in the provision and management of affordable and social housing
• Access to private finance and not-for-profit tax exemptions
• Tax and financial advantages over government organisations which allow for a more cost effective operation
• The provision of landlord duties for service-providing organisations that own properties
• High levels of tenant satisfaction.

Visit the Housing Authority for procurement and business opportunities.

What information is required at the development assessment stage?

The City of Cockburn requires an accompanying Affordable Housing Report in addition to the usual development application requirements as follows: 

1. Strategic justification
A description of the proposed development, including:

• A statement providing details of the proposal
• Consistency with policy and strategies including the relevant local structure plan
• Adequacy of services and infrastructure
• Environmental benefits
• Public benefits of the site for the proposed purpose. 

Please limit to five pages.

• Provision of a Feasibility Study (Note: the City reserves the right for a registered survey or valuer to review)
• Anticipated development costs (Note: the City may request a registered surveyor review the costs in certain circumstances)
• Proposed ongoing tenure arrangement e.g. evidence of an agreement between the developer and a recognised affordable housing provider to manage housing and tenants and/or a letter of support for the proposal.
• Target income groups for the affordable housing product provide an analysis and justification supported by the most up to date ABS data. 

More information and contact

Please contact Strategic Planning for more information on affordable housing on 08 9411 3444 or [email protected]