That process is now nearing completion with council expected to approve the exhibition for public comment of its draft Housing and Accommodation Strategy at Monday night’s meeting.

In his report to council, assistant general manager and director community and infrastructure services group Gary Thomson said Singleton had not had a housing strategy to establish the vision, options, and actions in delivering its land to the market or guiding developers.

He says the draft strategy establishes that direction and addresses the issues of housing affordability and diversity.

“The strategy will address the housing needs of Singleton for the next 10 to 20 years, which will obviously see changes in mining activities but the overall objective must be sufficient affordable accommodation for the entire community,” he said.

The draft strategy was prepared for council by Scott Carver Pty Ltd, a Sydney-based architectural company.

In the draft strategy’s executive summary it states Singleton is experiencing transformational growth pressures that challenge existing planning and strategy.

“It finds itself at the forefront of the ‘coal chain event’ in the Upper Hunter, which is projected to further expand as the global demand for premium grade coal continues over the next 25 years.”

The strategy acknowledges the changes in housing demand since the mine boom of  2010-2012 saying there has been a major readjustment in housing demand post 2010-2012 mining sector event, with a return to a historical one per cent annual population growth trajectory.

“The first quarter of 2014 indicates a modest investment in detached housing product and return to the average two per cent rental vacancy rate.”

Describing the impact of the coal boom event on housing, the strategy says it triggered house price increases of 10 per cent/year and rental growth of 15 per cent/year. Short stay accommodation options were at 90 per cent plus occupancy during that period.

Since then the market this year has largely stabilised with indications of a positive market uptake of housing stock and decrease in rental vacancy – a return to historical market pattern.

Among the priorities of the draft strategy are the development of the Pinnacle 7 urban release and CBD living programs, the delivery of greater diversity in land release and housing options with an emphasis on developing affordable new product appropriate to independent single, couples and community building.

The strategy also calls for the adoption of urban “consolidation” that optimises landuse, services and infrastructure resources to support urban sustainability.

COUNCIL’S draft Housing and Accommodation Strategy reveals 20 people in Singleton find themselves homeless each night.

Despite this, the New South Wales (NSW) Land and Housing Commission (LAHC) does not identify the area as a priority because “the two to three-year waiting list for social housing is well below the state average”.

The report behind the strategy says Singleton’s social housing stock is well below par, often exceeding the 30-year lifecycle and “does not adequately cater for the current demographic demand”.

“While there has been a reduced pressure on low cost and supported accommodation during 2013-2014 there is still a demand for independent singles, couples and emergency housing,” the document states.

“The homeless level is identified as 20 persons/night in Singleton, the homeless persons issue is not adequately catered for and requires a regional program to address this particular issue.”

The action plan in the draft strategy recommends the council “proactively work with NSW housing to focus investment into the conversion of existing aging stock to new product in Singleton with a mix of one, two and three-bed product”.