Labor candidate for the state seat of Clarence this week announced that if elected he will make it an urgent priority to address housing supply and affordability in the Northern Rivers.

Housing affordability has become the region’s most urgent problem, according to, Dr Ankersmit.“I am tired of seeing housing in the headlines in our media, especially now that our own region has risen to the top of the housing crisis charts with a bullet. My concern is that behind every headline we find a household that is on the brink of disaster.

Dr Ankersmit says he is committed to immediate action to develop short-term, medium-term and long-term solutions that will stop people from becoming homeless because there are not enough houses that are available and affordable.

He will bring together key stakeholders to identify the unique opportunities and challenges that are present in the Northern Rivers and develop solutions that can take immediate effect with the co-operation of all levels of government. Dr Ankersmit will follow this with an annual housing symposium for the region to make sure that momentum is maintained and that solutions are implemented.

“However more urgent as far as resolving the crisis in our region is a close examination of what we can do right now to build more housing in locations that are affordable, accessible to work and services, and homes that are robust to the landscape and changing climate as well as future risks. It may require partnerships between government, corporate investors, not-for-profit entities and perhaps even a regional development body.

“I want to see positive headlines regarding housing in the Northern Rivers. I want our community to work together to develop solutions that can be picked up by other regions and turn around this horrible crisis affecting so many of us.”