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Research identifies Coast’s preferred housing
What do Sunshine Coast people really think of higher density living, property prices and the types of housing available locally?
The answers to these questions were revealed today when a University of the Sunshine Coast-led research project, the Housing Choice Report, was released at a special breakfast event at USC’s Innovation Centre.
Research was conducted over 18 months and was jointly funded by USC, the Sunshine Coast Council’s Housing Affordability Taskforce and Investa Property Group.
USC’s Professor of Property and Development Mike Hefferan said more than 550 households participated in a survey for this research, which could lead to the development of an affordable housing model for the region.
“This is the first such study of its kind in the region and hopefully it will broaden the housing debate,” he said. “Some of the findings were quite surprising and were contrary to the normal stereotypes.”
Professor Hefferan said that while much of the emphasis in the housing debate was rightfully focused on affordability, the choices that people make on how and where to live are much more complex than simply price.
“A key question relates to the type of housing and locational choices that consumers will choose within their particular budget,” he said.
“Lifestyle and liveability were key determinants, but that did not necessarily equate to the single house/single allotment outcome.
“Other key criteria for choice of housing within a particular value range were the number of bedrooms, level of privacy, access to outdoor space and, overall, that perception of ‘liveability’.”
Professor Hefferan said the Housing Choice Report also contained a range of recommendations and suggested housing products to inform the council’s policy development processes and Investa’s development outcomes.
— Julie Gatehouse and Terry Walsh