A community-led solution to the Byron Shire housing crisis.
Not-for-profit rental accommodation.
A community problem.
Affordable housing is a critical issue in the Byron Shire.
The situation is rough. As Byron Shire's housing crisis continues to grow it's decimating the culture and community that initially attracted people to this region. House prices are the highest in the country, rental properties are scarce, rents exorbitant, secure leases almost non-existent, and yet competition remains fierce.
Action on a local level.
It’ll take many solutions. We’re working on one.
As a small regional community, there’s not much we can do to influence national housing policies, but that hasn't stopped us from taking action on a local level. Studying how other parts of the world have responded to similar problems, the standout model for us was a Community Land Trust.
Our pilot project is underway.
Housing for women and children.
Well-designed, group home, rental accommodation for those who need it most.
Property owned by the Byron Shire Community Housing, never to be sold onto the speculative market.
100% not for profit.
The team.
A collective of locals with a track record of getting things done in the Byron Shire.
The answer was forming a Community Land Trust, so we could provide ongoing affordable rental accommodation throughout the Byron Shire, but the question was who had the skills and experience to pull it together?
Our model.
Scalable, future-focused and not-for-profit.
Local business Creative Capital and charity The Northern Rivers Community Foundation (NRCF) decided to join forces in response to the ongoing housing crisis in Byron Shire and establish Byron Shire Community Housing.
Rare in Australia, a Community Land Trust is the only way to permanently conserve land, while also keeping rental prices from skyrocketing out of reach for the groups of people in the community that need it most. By reducing the price of renting somewhere to live, and lowering the cost of living, BSCH is providing lasting real-world solutions.
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Byron Shire Community Housing is modelled on internationally recognised Community Land Trust models. These are ethical, not-for-profit, organisations that own real estate to benefit a local community. The primary purpose of a Community Land Trust is to create permanent rental opportunities for generations of low-to-moderate income households adversely impacted by market conditions.
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No, properties held within the trust will never be sold. Properties held within the trust will be used as security to borrow money to create more housing within the trust, because this is how the Byron Shire Community Housing can provide a scalable, self-perpetuating model with the best chance of creating long-term change.
All land donated to the Byron Shire Community Housing will be used to create affordable rental accommodation – never to be sold – protecting it from the speculative market.
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The local community. We're a 100% not-for-profit organisation creating affordable rental accommodation to help grow long-term housing in the Byron Shire.
All revenue created by the trust will be used to fund the creation of more rental accommodation.
We have DGR status, so those willing to donate land and financial resources receive a commensurate tax deduction.