Statutory planning approaches for affordable and social housing provision: a comparison of recent Australian and Irish experience

There have been two significant attempts in recent years to use the statutory planning system to increase the supply of affordable housing in Sydney. Specifically, these schemes have relied on the utilisation of an inclusionary zoning mechanism mandated under delegated legislation created under the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979. This approach has generally been resisted by the development industry and, despite some ongoing commitment by several local councils in Sydney, has now apparently fallen into disfavour with the New South Wales State Government. This supply side tactical response (ie operationalised through the lodgement of individual development applications) may be contrasted with the more strategic approach for affordable and social housing provision adopted in Ireland via Pt V (Housing Strategies) of the Planning and Development Act 2000. Nonetheless, both approaches have experienced their difficulties and, to the extent that they represent a degree of public policy failure, call into question government efforts to assist in the maintenance of an adequate supply of low cost/affordable housing.