The purpose of the Public and Community Housing Advisory Committee is to:

• draw upon local expertise, experience, and networks to inform council decision-making by providing formal pathways for community input and regular, formal feedback to the Council.
• to monitor, advocate for, and provide advice relating to local housing needs within the City of Yarra and support

Adopted November 2019, the Social and Affordable Housing Strategy (SAHS) recognises that access to safe, secure, affordable housing is a right that should be afforded to our whole community, and it is a pressing issue that all three levels of government need to work together to address.

The SAHS sets out Council's overall strategy to:

'Ensure a diverse population by increasing the supply of social and affordable housing suitable to households at various income levels and requirements.'

The SAHS specifies that the Council will:

• Leverage its role as a planning authority to increase the supply of social and affordable housing in the municipality.
• Produce evidence-based, strategic advocacy to other levels of government and other organisations for improved social and affordable housing outcomes.
• Partner with and facilitate the work of other key stakeholders in the sector.
• Make effective and prudent direct investments in social and affordable housing through community grants and other means where appropriate.

The Public and Community Housing Advisory Committee is an advisory committee of Council. The Committee has a purely strategic focus.

The Committee should focus on issues and opportunities that are relevant across the entire municipality.

The Public and Community Housing Advisory Committee has no delegated decision-making power from Council.

• 2 Councillors (appointed annually)
• 10 community members

To enable members to effectively contribute and provide advice they should have experience or knowledge in one or more of the following:

• Ability to consult with the community and represent diverse views;
• Understanding of local housing needs; and,
• Capacity to analyse information and provide informed advice.

As far as practicable, the composition of community members will reflect the diversity of the community in accordance with the Council Committees Policy [ PDF, 246.73 KB] .

Committee's terms of reference [ PDF, 201.38 KB]